Latest news with #SEDC
Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
New circular agriculture plan aims to tackle Sarawak's sky-high beef costs, says Abang Johari
GEDONG, June 8 — The state government is actively developing a new approach to reduce dependency on imported cattle and feed by introducing a sustainable circular agriculture model, said Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg. This initiative aims to address the high cost of beef in the state, which has been reported as among the most expensive in the country, reaching up to RM95 per kilogramme (kg) Abang Johari attributed the current high prices primarily to Sarawak's heavy dependence on imported cattle and feed, particularly from Australia. 'We currently import cattle, including those we rear in Australia under SEDC (Sarawak Economic Development Corporation). 'However, the export tax imposed by Australia is quite high and payments are made in Australian dollars, which drives up the cost,' he told reporters after attending the Ibadah Korban Ceremony at the Al-Kawthar Mosque here today. Abang Johari said the new strategy involves implementing feedlot farming systems instead of traditional open grazing, allowing cattle to be reared using locally-produced feed derived from agricultural waste mixed with napier grass. This, he noted, would enhance cattle health and quality, leading to better yields. 'I have been to Lubok Antu and seen the potential of using plantation waste to produce biomass. This biomass can be converted into animal feed, which means we no longer need to import feed. 'Healthy, well-fed cattle are heavier, which means more value, whereas if the cattle are thin, no one will want to buy them,' he said. He also said that trials under this model are already being conducted through various government agencies. He said by producing animal feed locally and intensifying livestock farming under controlled conditions, the government hopes to eventually increase local beef supply and bring prices down to a more affordable level. 'We have 38 palm oil mills across the state that produce palm kernel waste. This can be used as livestock feed and even to generate bio-gas and bio-feed, contributing to a full circular economy,' he added. Abang Johari emphasised that the initiative is still in its early phase, having started two years ago. He noted that upon becoming Chief Minister six years ago, this was one of the priorities he looked into, but groundwork only began about two years ago. He expressed hope that these efforts would not only make beef more affordable but also improve incomes for local farmers, especially as Sarawak remains highly dependent on Australian beef imports. 'The long-term goal is to make our agriculture sector self-sufficient, ensuring stable supply so that demand can be met and prices controlled,' he said. A national daily had earlier reported that the average price of beef in Sarawak stands at RM64 per kg, significantly higher than in other states where prices range between RM27 and RM48 per kg. In some cases, premium cuts such as fillet can fetch prices as high as RM95 per kg, making Sarawak's beef among the most expensive in the country. — The Borneo Post
Borneo Post
11 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Abang Johari: Sustainable farming model key to lowering Sarawak's beef prices
Abang Johari (second right) seen participating in meat cutting during the Ibadah Korban Ceremony at the Al-Kawthar Mosque in Gedong today. – Photo by Roystein Emmor GEDONG (June 8): The state government is actively developing a new approach to reduce dependency on imported cattle and feed by introducing a sustainable circular agriculture model, said Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. This initiative aims to address the high cost of beef in the state, which has been reported as among the most expensive in the country, reaching up to RM95 per kilogramme (kg) Abang Johari attributed the current high prices primarily to Sarawak's heavy dependence on imported cattle and feed, particularly from Australia. 'We currently import cattle, including those we rear in Australia under SEDC (Sarawak Economic Development Corporation). 'However, the export tax imposed by Australia is quite high and payments are made in Australian dollars, which drives up the cost,' he told reporters after attending the Ibadah Korban Ceremony at the Al-Kawthar Mosque here today. Abang Johari said the new strategy involves implementing feedlot farming systems instead of traditional open grazing, allowing cattle to be reared using locally-produced feed derived from agricultural waste mixed with napier grass. This, he noted, would enhance cattle health and quality, leading to better yields. 'I have been to Lubok Antu and seen the potential of using plantation waste to produce biomass. This biomass can be converted into animal feed, which means we no longer need to import feed. 'Healthy, well-fed cattle are heavier, which means more value, whereas if the cattle are thin, no one will want to buy them,' he said. He also said that trials under this model are already being conducted through various government agencies. He said by producing animal feed locally and intensifying livestock farming under controlled conditions, the government hopes to eventually increase local beef supply and bring prices down to a more affordable level. 'We have 38 palm oil mills across the state that produce palm kernel waste. This can be used as livestock feed and even to generate bio-gas and bio-feed, contributing to a full circular economy,' he added. Abang Johari emphasised that the initiative is still in its early phase, having started two years ago. He noted that upon becoming Chief Minister six years ago, this was one of the priorities he looked into, but groundwork only began about two years ago. He expressed hope that these efforts would not only make beef more affordable but also improve incomes for local farmers, especially as Sarawak remains highly dependent on Australian beef imports. 'The long-term goal is to make our agriculture sector self-sufficient, ensuring stable supply so that demand can be met and prices controlled,' he said. A national daily had earlier reported that the average price of beef in Sarawak stands at RM64 per kg, significantly higher than in other states where prices range between RM27 and RM48 per kg. In some cases, premium cuts such as fillet can fetch prices as high as RM95 per kg, making Sarawak's beef among the most expensive in the country. abang johari cattle circular agriculture model lead
Borneo Post
21-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak Metro earns fourth ISO certification with anti-bribery accreditation
Abdul Aziz (centre) witnessing the presentation of the ISO 37001:2016 certificate to Mazli (second right) by Shahrizan, as SEDC group corporate services division chief Rakayah Hamdan (left) and SEDC group investment chief Zainnurain Othman look on KUCHING (May 21): Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd has strengthened its reputation for integrity and transparency by earning the International Organisation for Standards (ISO) certification for its Anti-Bribery Management System (ABMS). This latest achievement marks the company's fourth ISO accreditation in just two years. In a press release, Sarawak Metro said the ISO 37001:2016 ABMS certificate was formally presented to its chief executive officer Mazli Mustaffa by Sirim Sarawak regional director Shahrizan Mohammad Sahmoni during Sarawak Economic Development Corporation's (SEDC) Governance, Integrity, and Anti-Corruption Reinforcement Module Course held here on Monday. SEDC chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr Abdul Aziz Husain, who also serves as chairman of Sarawak Metro, witnessed the presentation. In his remarks, Abdul Aziz highlighted that the accreditation reflects the organisation's dedication to strengthening integrity and transparency in its operations. 'This is in line with the values that SEDC has instilled in all of its subsidiary companies,' he stated, while commending Sarawak Metro's perseverance in overcoming challenges throughout the certification process. 'May this recognition be an inspiration and guide for all the other SEDC subsidiaries to achieve continuous excellence,' he said, while pointing out that Sarawak Metro's success in attaining the ABMS certification was the result of the organisation's planned and phased implementation throughout 2024. Aside from strengthening integrity and transparency, through the ISO 37001:2016 ABMS certification, Sarawak Metro also aimed to enhance good governance throughout the entire organisation. The consultancy and development process for the ISO 37001:2016 commenced in August 2023 and was completed at the end of last year. Meanwhile, in early 2023, Sarawak Metro simultaneously attained three internationally recognised standards – ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System; ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System; and ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management System. Anti-Bribery Management System ISO accreditation lead Sarawak Metro
Borneo Post
17-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Velesto, SEDC to hold VIBES Innovation Challenge finals at Unimas May 20
The hackathon-style competition encourages students to develop innovative solutions addressing critical challenges in technology, sustainability, and industrial development. – Photo by Sora Shimazaki/Pexels KUCHING (May 17): Velesto Energy Berhad (Velesto) and the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) are set to host the highly anticipated VIBES Innovation Challenge semi-final and finals from May 20 to 21 at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Hall, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas). According to a statement, the hackathon-style competition encourages students to develop innovative solutions addressing critical challenges in technology, sustainability, and industrial development. Since its launch on March 24, the competition has attracted 151 participants forming 35 teams, all tasked with applying their academic knowledge to solve real-world problems. The VIBES Innovation Challenge offers a dynamic platform for students to transform their ideas into practical, actionable solutions. The initiative reflects Velesto's and SEDC's commitment to elevating educational quality, nurturing future workforce capabilities, and supporting Sarawak's vision for sustainable, knowledge-driven economic growth. Participants have benefited from ideation workshops, mentorship sessions, and expert assessments led by professionals from Velesto, SEDC, and Unimas, enhancing their skills in innovation and problem-solving. This competition is part of the broader VIBES initiatives, designed to cultivate local talent and foster innovation through hands-on STEM learning experiences. It aligns with Velesto's and SEDC's shared goal to strengthen Sarawak's innovation ecosystem by equipping future generations with the skills to tackle tomorrow's challenges. The closing ceremony will be officiated by Deputy Premier and Minister for International Trade, Industry, and Investment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan. Also expected to attend are Velesto President Ir Ts Megat Zariman Abdul Rahim, SDEC General Manager Datu Abdul Hadi Datuk Abdul Kadir, and Unimas Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit. This initiative, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Dec 5, 2023, contributes to Sarawak's knowledge-driven growth. It also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4: Quality Education and Goal 17: Partnerships, emphasising the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in achieving impactful, sustainable outcomes. hackathon lead SEDC Unimas Velesto VIBES Innovation Challenge
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Death of 'precious and special' young man was 'unavoidable' , inquest hears
The family of a 'fantastic and special' 26-year-old who 'lived his life to the fullest' have paid him a heartfelt tribute following his inquest at Bolton Coroners Court. Jack Robert Bannister, aged 26, was described by his family as a popular and social man who was adored by all who met him. Jack, who worked as a customer services assistant in Sainsbury's, was born with Pierre Robin syndrome and spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenital (SEDC), the same bone growth condition as award-winning actor, Warwick Davis. Jack Bannister was described as 'special and precious' by family and friends at his inquest. (Image: Gillian Bannister) By the age of 11, Jack had undergone around 30 various operations for his condition, including a tracheostomy and hernia repair. He used a wheelchair and had full life expectancy, with his condition was not thought to have a direct impact on his lifespan. The inquest heard that Jack, who was from Leigh, was a keen gardener who enjoyed holidaying abroad with his family and friends, expressed a strong interest in property valuations and loved spending time with his beloved pet dog, Lottie. Family, friends and close loved ones gathered at Bolton Coroners Court dressed in bright orange clothing, Jack's favourite colour. The hearing heard that on the evening of 17th December 2024, Jack began to experience abdominal pains in his stomach. Despite calling 111 for an ambulance, Jack's family noted that there were 'severe delays' of up to almost two hours in him getting seen to and so decided to drive him directly to Royal Bolton Hospital. READ MORE: Speaking at the hearing, Jack's mum Gillian Bannister said: 'At first, we thought Jack was suffering from constipation, although this wasn't something he'd had issues with before. 'We were told by the nurse on the phone that the hospital would be notified of his condition and would be expecting him, but when we got there this was not the case. 'But Jack's condition began to deteriorate even further once he arrived to Royal Bolton, he was screaming out in pain. He has a high pain threshold because of his SEDC, so we knew that if he was shouting like this it must have been excruciating. 'Anyone who would pass he would shout to them; he was desperate for help. He began to say that he was struggling to breathe. He wasn't seen by the first triage for around 45 minutes, we were just told to wait for someone to be available. 'After he was eventually seen to by the first triage, I asked if there was a bed that he could use to stretch out, as he had just been cramped up in his wheelchair. It was only after I suggested he stretch out on the floor that they were able to provide us with a bed for him. Jack, who worked as a customer services assistant in Sainsbury's, was born with Pierre Robin syndrome and spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenital. (Image: Gillian Bannister) 'He went an hour and a half without any pain relief. There was around four and a half hours between him entering the hospital to him getting seen to by the surgical registrar for a review.' The inquest heard that there were delays for getting in contact with the surgical registrar, with senior doctors unable to contact them via the hospital's switchboard. Jack's condition continued to worsen, the inquest heard that he was left 'crawling on all fours' due to pain following a CT scan whilst waiting for a surgical review. Gill added: 'When the residential surgeon finally came in, we heard her ask the clinical physician 'why she had been called out for this'. 'We heard doctors arguing behind the curtain between themselves about where Jack should be best placed, he received atrocious care that evening.' Doctors administered Jack with ketamine as a form of pain relief. Gillian said: 'He began spasming after the ketamine was administered, he had total fear in his eyes. I'll never forget that look he gave me, this was the last time that he was ever conscious. 'I believe that there were significant delays at Royal Bolton that contributed to Jack's passing. I just want to know if he looked like the average person would this have happened. 'There was a series of significant mistakes, concerns about Jack's breathing were lot listen to, we tried to flag that his skin was mottling and didn't get a response from staff. We felt like we were invisible, there was very little communication about what was happening. 'At one point we were asked to describe what his quality of life was like to the surgical registrar; I mean what kind of question is that?' Although multiple members of staff attempted to insert a life-saving nasogastric tube into Jack's nose on several occasions, the inquest heard that attempts were unsuccessful. A needle decompression was considered by staff but deemed too high-risk and likely to result in gastric perforation. Despite resuscitation attempts by doctors, Jack died after suffering from a cardiac arrest at 6.38am on 18th December. A post-mortem examination found that his lungs had partially collapsed, and his stomach was 'significantly dilated and full of air' at the time of his death. Speaking at the inquest, Dr Emma Wheatley, who compiled the NHS report following Jack's death which described his death as 'unavoidable' due to the surrounding circumstances and that the 'outcome would be the same.' She said: "The nasal gastric tube would have been the life-saving procedure. But this wouldn't go through, despite multiple attempts from senior people. 'Staff were unable to relieve pressure on his stomach, which pushed on the diaphragm and made it difficult for him to breathe. The team were unable to balance the pressure between his lungs and the stomach. 'His triage took about 90 minutes that night, I'm not saying it is acceptable by any means, but unfortunately that is the standard. 'There was a lot of stress between the teams that night, it is not a place for clinical teams to discuss plans in front of patients. Training is now in place to make sure people are being civil to one another and making sure there's no blame amongst staff members. 'The quality-of-life question was insensitive, as this is difficult to determine. We are going to run a communications workshop about that so staff know how to get the best information out of people sensitively. 'Because we couldn't treat the primary problem, it just added to more and more problems, which started with the inability to get the tube in.' Gill added: 'Jack lived life to the fullest, he had so much to live for and managed to cram so much into his cruelly cut short life. 'Everyone knew him and loved him, over 400 people attended his funeral including the staff at Sainsburys. He was popular, everyone would always compliment him on his beaming smile. 'Jack was the type of person who wanted to help everyone, he sat with his best friend, Jade, for 24 hours whilst she gave birth to his god daughter, Ophelia. 'He loved cars, a good gossip and designer clothes. He was so highly thought of and respected by so many people. He was my son, my best friend. 'Jack's death was undignified, and we still don't understand the reason for these delays on that night. There was so much that we believe could have prevented this and we felt like the communication wasn't there. 'We just exist now, we don't live. I believe he was let down by everyone there that night. I believe that they just looked at him, scratched their heads and didn't know what to do. 'He was the same as everyone else, he worked in Sainsburys and was adored by his customers, he could drive and had so many friends and family who cared deeply for him. 'SEDC is not a life-limiting syndrome, I believe that they were well out of their comfort zone in treating someone of a different size and shape. 'He should still be here.' A fundraiser for Jack's family has raised over £2,000 of its initial £500 target. Concluding, Coroner Ceri Owen said: 'There was a failure to offer collation at the end of Jacks' life, I don't know why that was. 'I appreciate those in the medical field have competing demands, steps were taken to deliver care by staff of all seniorities. 'It is impossible to say whether sooner intervention would have had a different outcome. I did feel that some of his treatment was sub-optimal, but I'm not satisfied that the cause of death is neglect in this case. 'I agree with the post-mortem on the cause of death being metabolic acidosis, small bowel obstruction and spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenital. 'He was waiting from 90-100 minutes that night, with 95 other patients in A&E. There were delays in him getting a surgical review because of the descended stomach. 'The increasing intrabdominal pressure meant that he had difficulty breathing and unfortunately suffered a cardiac arrest which required advanced care support. 'Ultimately, I rule the cause of death to be natural causes. I offer my sincerest condolences to Jack's family and friends.'
