10/04/2026

FRIDAY | APR 10, 2026

6

Trio creates cheaper fish feed ingredient

o Startup by former Unimas students processes water lettuce to produce substitute for expensive soybean formulations

Pavithran (left) and Neil said Lettuboost aims to reduce fish feed costs by between 15% and 20%. – BERNAMAPIC

KUCHING: What started as playful banter between three 23-year-old students at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) has since evolved into Lettuboost Enterprise, an innovation that transforms an invasive aquatic weed into an affordable ingredient for fish feed. Lettuboost Enterprise, founded in 2025, is the brainchild of S. Pavithran Julieus and Neil Erickson Nelyson, both Master of Biotechnology students from the Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, and Mohammad Zulhilmi Abang Mohammad Reduan, an alumnus of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology. Zulhilmi serves as CEO, Pavithran as chief technical officer and Neil as chief operating officer. However, the trio’s journey began with a simple pact – win a competition hosted by Unimas and start a company to turn their innovation into a product. “If we win this competition, we will open a company,” Zulhilmi recounted telling Pavithran. The team secured second place and the same year, went on to win at the Shell LiveWire Sarawak contest. “That was when it became real and the rest is history.” At the heart of their innovation is water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), an

invasive

aquatic

plant

that

clogs accelerates eutrophication (excessive algae growth) and threatens ecosystems. Using biotechnology processes, they render the water lettuce into powder form and incorporate it into fish feed formulations, partially replacing expensive ingredients such as fish and soybean meal. “For us, the turning point was when we realised water lettuce was not just biologically viable, but also economically viable,” said Pavithran, who is of Bidayuh and Indian parentage and has been fascinated with science since his teenage years. He said fish meal alone could account for 60% to 70% of feed formulation costs, while farmers typically spend up to 80% of their operating expenditure on feed. “When we saw that this raw material is abundant, essentially free and could replace part of the nutritional value in fish meal, we knew this could scale beyond the lab and into the real economy.” According to Neil, Lettuboost aims to reduce fish feed costs by 15% to 20%. With commercial feed priced at about RM9 per kg, the startup is proposing a price of approximately RM7 per kg. “Farmers buy in tonnes, not kilos, so every RM2 difference per kg waterways,

momentum. It opened doors to industry partners, mentors and leaders that we would not have had access to before.” He said the startup has since secured three confirmed investors, two from Peninsular Malaysia and one from Sarawak, and is currently formalising investment arrangements. “What sets us apart is that we’re solving two problems at once. An environmental problem and a social problem, while being backed by science and research and development.” From humble beginnings to national recognition and investor backing, Lettuboost reflects the growing potential of Sarawak’s youth in driving science-based and socially impactful enterprises.

knowledge exchange. The team will also be given a chance to compete in the Shell Global Top Ten Innovators Awards. To further encourage Sarawak participation, Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak awarded an additional RM20,000 cash incentive to Lettuboost. Beyond Shell LiveWire, the startup also placed second in the Vibes Innovation Challenge 2025 and emerged champion at the Youth Innovation Challenge 2025 (Zon Sarawak), organised by the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry through Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia. Zulhilmi said winning at national level significantly strengthened investor confidence. “It boosted our credibility and

could translate into substantial savings,” he said. An extrovert who is active in sports, music and performing arts, Neil’s people-oriented nature now complements his role overseeing operations and community engagement, Bernama reported. After winning at the Sarawak level, Lettuboost went on to be named one of five national winners of Shell LiveWire Malaysia 2025, emerging from a pool of 180 entrepreneurs nationwide and selected among 15 state-level finalists from Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia. As a national winner, Lettuboost received RM30,000 in start-up funding and access to the global LiveWire network, opening doors for international collaboration and

Sabah beauty pageant to feature 52 finalists KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah state level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan, which is a cultural beauty pageant, will bring together 52 finalists, including those residing in Peninsular Malaysia. According to a statement from the organising committee, preparations began as early as February with several initiatives aimed at improving the selection process, including an initial assessment of the finalists. “This step aims to enhance professionalism, transparency and the quality of participant selection,” the committee said, while also announcing the appointment of Dr Mary Gambidau from Telupid as event

“It

empowers

women

as

chairperson, and Datuk Joanna Kitingan as an advisor. “The event continues to serve as a prestigious platform for preserving and promoting Sabah’s cultural heritage.

custodians and strengthens the identity and self esteem of the Sabah community at both national and international levels.” – Bernama of tradition