19/05/2025

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Dept to review import plan amid swine fever outbreak

Sarawak to upgrade airport

SIBU: The Sarawak government will upgrade the Tanjung Manis Airport in the Mukah Division, about 112km from here, to enable larger aircraft to land. The Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation said the airport, which was opened in 2001, is only able to accommodate light aircraft and the upgrading project is estimated to cost between RM300 million and RM800 million, subject to the results of a feasibility study that is being carried out. “With better facilities, the Tanjung Manis Airport is expected to be the main entry point to the Central Region, spurring economic growth and opening job opportunities for locals,” it said in a statement. The airport upgrading project involves the construction of a new terminal and air traffic control tower, runway extension, as well as immigration, Customs and safety facilities. The project launch ceremony was officiated by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at Dewan IKS Pusaka in Tanjung Manis on Saturday. The corporation said the project is a key incentive in the development planning for the Central Region, comprising the divisions of Kapit, Sibu, Sarikei and Mukah, that is aimed at stimulating economic growth and improving the living standards of local communities. Under this initiative, the construction of the Rajang-Jalan Pasi Bridge has been completed and was officiated by Abang Johari on Saturday. This infrastructure cuts the travel distance from Tanjung Manis to Sarikei from 122km to 53km. The Kampung Tanjung Manis Expansion Scheme, involving the construction of 69 semi-detached houses on a 6.92ha site, has also been planned to improve rural living standards by providing comprehensive basic amenities. The Sarawak government will develop the Anjung Usahawan project, which will feature seven double-storey commercial shoplots as modern business premises for local entrepreneurs, particularly SME operators. “In a bid to promote Tanjung Manis as a tourism centre, plans are afoot to develop a golf course and resort near Pantai Belawai and the Tanjung Manis Airport, complete with facilities such as chalets, a marina and a three-star hotel,” it added. – Bernama young age. The scheme is open to individuals aged 18 and above, and the government provides annual protection contributions for members.” He said there are 5,431 patrol teams involving 8,529 Neighbourhood Watch Areas, with 108,620 members nationwide. In Perlis, 142 such areas have been established, with 97 active teams. He emphasised that the scheme is not just an ordinary patrol but also symbolises the spirit of safeguarding the area against crime and social disharmony. – Bernama

Bear caught after entering home KUANTAN: A sun bear has been captured by the Civil Defence Force after it wandered into a residence in Taman Tanah Putih, Pekan here. Pekan district Civil Defence Force officer Capt Ahmad Azmi Nafiah said the bear damaged several items in the house, supposedly in search of food at 4.30am on Saturday. “The bear then climbed out of the house. It is believed to be a pet bear that escaped from a nearby residential area,” he said in a statement. He added that they received an emergency call regarding the incident at 8.36am and five Civil Defence Force personnel were dispatched to the scene. “Upon reaching the site at 8.57am, a team from the Wildlife and National Parks Department arrived a few minutes later,” he said. According to the Veterinary Services Department, there were 401 pig farms in Peninsular Malaysia and 118 in East Malaysia as of 2023. chairman Wong Fu Sheng said the number of pig farms has decreased by 25% following a major outbreak last year. Wong said the Valdor, Sungai Jawi area has the highest number of pig farms in the state. “The African swine fever outbreak forced farmers to reduce their livestock numbers to avoid overcrowding, which could speed up the spreading of the virus. “Many farmers here are still recovering from the losses they suffered as they were forced to cull their pigs to contain the outbreak. African swine fever is still our biggest challenge.” He also said the price of maize, a key feed component, has risen from RM800 per tonne before the Covid-19 pandemic to RM2,000 at its peak. “On top of dealing with the African swine fever outbreak, the rising cost of feed is putting further pressure on us,” he said.

address African swine fever, industry players are urged to upgrade their farms to a modern pig farming (MPF) system, which is proven to reduce the risk of diseases. Mohamad welcomed support from the governments of Penang, Perak and Sabah for MPF implementation. He also noted that Sarawak and Negeri Sembilan are taking steps to establish special pig farming areas (PFA) dedicated to the pig industry. MPF and PFA use modern techniques to improve biosecurity and minimise the chance of disease outbreaks on farms. While the transition to MPF requires significant investment, the ministry is ready to assist stakeholders through a streamlined process and plans to hold an engagement session soon. “It is our hope that these measures would help stabilise the pork supply, benefit consumers and farmers, and enable us to achieve a 90% self-sufficiency rate in local pork production by 2030,” said Mohamad. Penang Pig Farmers Association

o Proposal comes after several farms in Selangor closed, causing meat supply shortage in market: Food security minister

KUALA LUMPUR: The Veterinary Services Department will review a proposal from the Federation of Pork Sellers Associations to import pork from Thailand, Brazil and China as a temporary measure to overcome local supply shortages. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the proposal comes after several pig farms in Selangor were closed due to an outbreak of African swine fever. “Malaysia is still able to import pork from countries in Europe, Australia, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. “We encourage importers to source pork from these countries.” He highlighted that the shortage has hurt local pig farmers and led to a sharp increase in fresh pork prices,

impacting consumers. A whole local pig is now priced at RM1,800 per 100kg, rising from between RM1,300 and RM1,400 per 100kg since last year. The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry previously said thousands of pigs were culled in Selangor and Malacca, which forced a drop in pork supply and pushed meat prices higher. Mohamad said the ministry would work closely with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to review proposals for pork price controls. Price regulations, under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, are typically applied during festive seasons when demand is high, Bernama reported. For a long-term solution to

Malacca unemployment rate down to 1.8% MALACCA: The state unemployment rate for the fourth quarter of last year dropped to 1.8% from 2.6% in 2023, said Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh. personal development, as well as social and religious values.” He was speaking after officiating at the state-level Youth Day celebration on Saturday. COSMIC WONDER ... Visitors viewing one of the displays at the National Planetarium, which provides information about planets and outer space through captivating shows and exhibits. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

He said the department team fired a tranquiliser at the bear to subdue it before taking it back to its base in Kuantan. – Bernama Youths urged to join patrol scheme

He said his administration is committed to involving youths not just in programmes but also from planning to policy implementation. He expressed belief that a strong government-youth relationship would nurture visionary and competitive young leaders, adding that the state government would continue providing infrastructure, opportunities and guidance to ensure sustainable youth development. He said the state government established a Youth State Assembly with 33 representatives from each state constituency to provide leadership training and involve youths in grassroots policy-making. – Bernama

ARAU: Youths have been urged to join the Voluntary Patrol Scheme initiative, which plays a key role in enhancing security within Neighbourhood Watch Areas. National Unity and Integration Department director-general Datuk Che Roslan Che Daud said youth involvement in the scheme could help develop a sense of responsibility and concern for security in their respective residential areas. “We encourage youth involvement in the scheme so that they foster a spirit of unity and volunteerism from a

The event was also attended by Youth and Sports Deputy Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim and state Youth, Sports and NGO Committee chairman Datuk V.P. Shanmugam. Ab Rauf said the state government is focused on empowering skilled youths by strengthening technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to meet industry needs and position Malacca as the national TVET centre, ensuring its youths remain competitive.

He said the achievement demonstrates the effectiveness of the Malacca government’s policies in creating job opportunities, especially for the youth in the state. “Malacca is home to more than 200,000 youths. They represent the future energy of the state and the country, and are among the most valuable assets,” he said. “Various initiatives have been and continue to be implemented, focusing on job marketability, entrepreneurship, education,