Latest news with #RM1.4
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Perak to expand onion cultivation to more districts
GOPENG: Perak will expand the cultivation of the BAW-1 red onion variety, also known as Bawang Perak, to several districts identified as suitable for the crop. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the districts include Kuala Kangsar, Muallim and Perak Tengah, in addition to Kampung Ladang Bikam in Sungkai, Batang Padang, which began planting the variety last year. 'We will open new areas that meet the criteria for onion cultivation, as it must be grown on fertile soil to produce high-quality yields. Bawang Perak is known for its sweet and flavourful taste, which adds to its market appeal. 'So far, four districts have been identified as suitable, and we will expand to several more,' he told reporters after launching the FAMA Fest 2025 @ Perak at the Rural Transformation Centre here today. Also present were Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup and State Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun. Saarani said a total of 12.4 metric tonnes of Bawang Perak was produced last year from a nine-hectare cultivation area. Earlier, in his speech, Arthur mentioned that the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has allocated an additional RM1.4 million this year to expand the cultivation of the variety. He said the commercial-scale production of Bawang Perak - the first of its kind in the country - was a significant milestone made possible through collaboration between the Perak Agriculture Department and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI).
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Perak expands onion cultivation to boost food security
GOPENG: Perak has identified several districts to expand cultivation of BW1-type local onions, aiming to enhance the state's food security and reduce reliance on imports. Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad announced that Kuala Kangsar, Muallim, and Perak Tengah have been earmarked as the latest districts for this initiative. He said this follows the success of a one-hectare pilot project at Kampung Kuala Bikam in the Batang Padang district, which yielded 3.3 tonnes of onions during its first harvest last April. "While onion cultivation can technically be done anywhere, it is essential to identify the most suitable land to ensure quality produce. "This is crucial because we have begun branding Perak onions, which are known for their sweet and tasty qualities, attracting buyers," he told reporters after launching the Perak Fama Fest 2025 at the Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) in Gopeng today. Also present was Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup. The event, running from 29 May to 2 June, features over 200 entrepreneurs showcasing their products. Following the impressive onion production, Arthur also announced an additional RM1.4 million in funding to expand the cultivation area for Perak onions this year. Saarani expressed satisfaction with the growing participation, variety of products, and sales growth among young agropreneurs at the event. "This demonstrates that the efforts by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry together with the main organisers have successfully boosted agricultural output both nationally and within Perak," he said. Saarani also highlighted the risks of dependence on imported agricultural products, citing price volatility linked to currency fluctuations and supply disruptions. "Sometimes, we wait for imported chillies, vegetables, or meat, which makes us reliant on foreign products. This is not ideal for Malaysia." "Lessons were learned from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and natural disasters affecting producing countries such as India and Turkey, which have driven up prices of essential commodities like onions and wheat. "This is why we want Malaysians, especially in Perak, to engage in agriculture. Food security is one of the nine pillars in the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan," he said.
New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Company director loses RM1.4 million to fake investment syndicate
IPOH: A company director lost RM1.4 million after being duped by a syndicate offering fake investment trading partnerships. The ordeal began when the 75-year-old man received a call from a woman on April 15, offering him a partnership in a company to purchase goods from another company based overseas. After verifying that the company had been operating since 1989, the man agreed to the offer. He was then asked to download an app linked to the company, which purportedly sold luxury goods. Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said the man was told he would earn a 30 per cent commission if customers bought the goods, but he had to pay for the items himself. "The man paid a deposit of RM22,122 via a cash deposit machine into a company bank account. "Believing in the promised returns, the complainant went on to transfer a total of RM1.47 million into six different company bank accounts via online transfers and by visiting bank counters," he said in a statement tonight. Noor Hisam said the victim only realised he had been scammed when he received no returns on the funds transferred between April 17 and May 16. He lodged a police report last Sunday.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- The Sun
Pahang JKDM thwarts attempt to export cannabis buds worth RM1.4 million
KUANTAN: The Pahang Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) has foiled an attempt to smuggle cannabis buds worth over RM1.4 million using a courier service to export the illegal substance abroad. State JKDM director Mohd Asri Seman said 13.74 kilogrammes of suspected cannabis buds were discovered during three separate operations at the Mail and Courier Centre, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), on May 5. He said the operations, conducted between 3.10 pm and 3.30 pm, involved the inspection and scanning of several packages which revealed images resembling organic material. 'Further checks uncovered what is believed to be cannabis buds, packed in clear plastic bags, wrapped in pillowcases or clothing, and placed in boxes for international delivery,' he told a press conference here today. Mohd Asri said initial investigations suggest that the drugs were sourced from a neighbouring country, repackaged in Malaysia, and sent overseas using a courier company via KLIA. 'We are still determining if the packages are linked to the same syndicate, as the sender addresses differ - two from Terengganu and one from Selangor. 'All the parcels were intended for international destinations. We are also investigating whether the cannabis was meant for direct use or further processing,' he added. The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- The Sun
Pahang JKDM stops RM1.4 million cannabis export attempt
KUANTAN: The Pahang Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) has foiled an attempt to smuggle cannabis buds worth over RM1.4 million using a courier service to export the illegal substance abroad. State JKDM director Mohd Asri Seman said 13.74 kilogrammes of suspected cannabis buds were discovered during three separate operations at the Mail and Courier Centre, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), on May 5. He said the operations, conducted between 3.10 pm and 3.30 pm, involved the inspection and scanning of several packages which revealed images resembling organic material. 'Further checks uncovered what is believed to be cannabis buds, packed in clear plastic bags, wrapped in pillowcases or clothing, and placed in boxes for international delivery,' he told a press conference here today. Mohd Asri said initial investigations suggest that the drugs were sourced from a neighbouring country, repackaged in Malaysia, and sent overseas using a courier company via KLIA. 'We are still determining if the packages are linked to the same syndicate, as the sender addresses differ - two from Terengganu and one from Selangor. 'All the parcels were intended for international destinations. We are also investigating whether the cannabis was meant for direct use or further processing,' he added. The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
