Author - jessica

PUTATAN: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman wants agricultural expos to be held in all districts in Sabah as a platform to expose local farmers to the latest development in the sector. Such events, he said, could help in disseminating information on new findings that could be applied by the agriculture communities to improve their income and help retain the sector as one of the major economic earners for the state. Speaking at the launch of Putatan Agricultural Expo 2012 here yesterday, Musa said the agriculture sector had been identified as one of the major focuses under the state’s development Halatuju launched in 2003, alongside the tourism and manufacturing sectors. Apart from reducing dependency on imported food products, further development of this sector would also help improve the income of Sabahans, he said. “I believe the expo here today would benefit the target group and everyone involved … And I am confident that with the cooperation of all parties in this district, it will propel the growth of the agriculture and agro-based industry not only here locally but in the whole state, and make us a major food producer in the country. “This is why I must propose that the ministry (of agriculture and food industry) expands this event to other districts so that agricultural potential of each district can be fully developed and utilized,” he said. Musa stressed that it was the hope of the state government that farmers, breeders and fishermen communities across Sabah continue to improve themselves by incorporating new technologies into their operations. By doing so, he said they would be able to significantly improve their output and revenues and prove the old perception that agriculture is a low income industry for the poor, is wrong. “Agriculture could be a lucrative business if done right,” Musa asserted. Met after the launching, he said many agricultural development projects and programmes had been successfully implemented in Sabah and had greatly benefited farmers and local agro-based businesses. As such, Musa, who is also State Finance Minister, said he would request the federal government to provide more allocations to fund similar projects in the future. The state government, he added, would also implement more programmes aimed at encouraging more people to participate and benefit from the sector, and promote awareness that agriculture is a lucrative industry. “Improving the income of the farmers would translate to improvement of the overall economy of the state … we are on the right track to move forward,” he said. He also said the promising potential in agriculture, coupled with political stability and vast fertile land in Sabah had attracted major international players to come in and invest in the sector. Among the latest ones, he noted, was an American company which was looking to develop a multi-billion fruit planting project in Sabah. “Apart from the lobster project that I mentioned before this, there is also a US-based company who wants to come in. We are currently looking for a suitable site for the project and in discussions to find out which agency would be best to collaborate with them. “Many investors are coming to Sabah because they are convinced of the political stability we have. That is why we do not encourage street demonstration that could undermine this stability, this will not benefit anyone,” he said. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister cum Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin in his welcoming remarks said the Integrated Agricultural Complex in Putatan could be developed into an attractive agro-tourism destination. He said the complex dubbed as the ‘Green Lung of Putatan’ could be packaged as a tourism product to attract both local and foreign visitors. “I was also made to understand that this five-hectare complex will be developed as a permanent food production park that will lead in intensive high-tech farming. This project represents an opportunity for the local community in Putatan to venture into this field and become agro entrepreneurs,” he added. Source : Borneo Post

KOTA KINABALU: The Wah San Chon Chu Kong temple in Ranau will play host to about 5,000 guests from worldwide who are expected to attend the fourth Malaysia Tuah Peh Kong festival this weekend. It will be the first time that the festival to be held from May 11 to 13, is hosted by a temple in Sabah. The previous hosts were Bintulu, followed by Sibu and later Kuching. The long line of guests will include senior officials, representatives and devotees of the Tuah Peh Kong deity in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, Taiwan, China, Singapore, Indonesia and Australia with some 68 affiliated Taoist temples from Sarawak and 10 from Peninsular Malaysia are expected to take part in the celebration. Organising chairman Datuk Chua Khen Siong explained that the main objective of the celebration is to promote better understanding of the Tua Peh Kong deity, his benevolent attributes and contributions to the Chinese community. Chua said the actual celebration will be on May 12, starting from 8am till 6pm, with a host of interesting programmes lined up to mark the celebration. This includes a spectacular procession by the various affiliated temples, a car float procession comprising of Volkswagon cars and various other types of four-wheel-drive vehicles starting at 6pm. The programmes will kick start with an assembly of the participants and guests at the premises of the temple, at 8am, to be followed by an elaborated mass prayer ceremony headed by Datuk Seri Panglima Sari Nuar Tan, the president of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS). Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai is expected to grace the occasion on behalf of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Hj Aman. A welcoming dinner will be held on the evening of May 11. “Most of the guests will put up in Kundasang and Ranau,” said Chua, who is also the chairman of the Wah San Chon Chu Kong temple and expressed his appreciation to the State government and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment for the support and generosity to partially sponsor the expenses incurred for the celebration. Chua also urged tour operators in the State to bring their guests to the temple, to observe and to experience the unique Malaysian Taoist culture and celebration. The worship of the Tua Pek Kong in Southeast Asia is a unique culture of the Chinese community. Tuah Peh Kong which literally means “Grand Uncle” in the Hokkien dialect is one of the pantheons of the Taoist deities. It was believed that Tuah Peh Kong first arrived in Malaysia in Penang some 40 years before Captain Francis Light in 1746. The Tuah Peh Kong was a man named Zhang Li from the Hakka clan and his Sumatra-bound boat was blown away by the wind and accidentally landed on Penang island which at that time was inhabited by 50 people. After his death, the local people began worshipping him and built the Tuah Peh Kong temple there and today Tuah Peh Kong is worshipped by Malaysian Chinese throughout the country. Tuah Peh Kong is often mistaken for Tu Di Gong, partially because of their physical similarities. Meanwhile, the Wah San Chon Chu Kong temple is also a popular tourist destination, especially famous for its ‘holy spring water’ and it is commonly held by the local community that the consumption of the natural spring water obtained from a source 108-feet deep in the vicinity of the temple, could help treat many illnesses. Many also believe that bathing with the water could get rid of bad luck. Source : Borneo Post

KUALA PENYU: STATE leaders were made to sweat as they took part in a ritual, displayed their dancing skills and obliged a chanting shaman to mark the launch of the month-long Pesta Kaamatan, or Harvest Festival, here yesterday. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman declared open the festival, which will move on to other districts across the state, before culminating at the Hongkod Koisaan Building in Penampang on May 30 and 31. The elaborate launch came with a sombre ritual by a high priestess, Kinup Suram, to appease the rice spirits, leaders cutting stalks of rice before sharing a meal and dancing the sumazau on stage -- kicking off the state's biggest annual celebration. Even the poor ventilation system, which got officials of the event apologising and scurrying to repair the air condition system at the main venue, the Datuk Shahbandar Hall, did not bother Musa who told them not to worry as he was an orang kampung (villager) like every other leader in his cabinet. "I can take the heat so do not worry about me or about the other leaders. "What is more important here is we celebrate and respect this meaningful festival together." Present were deputy chief minister and paramount leader of the Kadazandusun and Murut community Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Beaufort MP Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin, who was also the organising chairman, and Kuala Penyu assemblyman John Teo. "I see the people here taking every opportunity to be part of the celebration," Musa said and referred to the blanket of stalls on the sidewalks across the coastal town right to the main venue at the hall as a testament to this. Musa said this was where the people of Sabah were in their element, displaying their strong commitment towards preserving their rich culture and tradition as well as strengthening unity among the various communities. "That is why we are always referred to as a role model in showing the example of what the 1Malaysia policy represents, and we need to preserve this through such celebrations which brings us together." Themed "The Love of Culture Builds A Caring Society", the festival is celebrated by the Kadazandusun, Murut and Rungus communities in the state in May. Apart from the district level celebrations, it is also observed in villages or even at homes among family members. "This theme was picked to create a platform for people in Sabah to strengthen unity and harmony among the various races," Kitingan said. Source : New Straits Times