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Proving Critics Wrong
Proving Critics Wrong
09/09/2013 (Borneo Post) - Sarawakians should join hands to counter nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) who have been running down the state government for their own gains.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu said these NGOs condemned the government because they were jealous of the state’s success in utilising difficult land, especially peat soil, for oil palm.
Launching the `Tropical Peat 2013’ workshop here yesterday, Jabu said Sarawakians, especially local scientists and oil palm planters, should have no fear in fi ghting these oppressive NGOs in order to correct global perceptions of the oil palm industry.
“Let us be united to fi ght these NGOs who are jealous of our success. What have they done for our people? In fact, they are only making our people’s lives difficult.
“We are opening up more land, especially peat soil, for oil palm cultivation to eradicate poverty and to provide jobs to our people and to give our children hope.”
He said these NGOs were stooges of some US-based soya bean growers to run down the oil palm industry.
Jabu, who is also Minister of Rural Development and Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, said the oil palm industry had helped save Malaysia to withstand the global economic meltdown from 1997 to 1998.
“This golden crop will ensure that our economy remain sustainable for the future of our children. Our state government believes that our land development and other economic initiatives, such as the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), will ensure that Sarawak will be the most advanced state in Malaysia by 2030.”
He said he was glad that local scientists had done extensive research on managing peat soil.
The better yield and efficient ways in cultivating peat soil were fruits of their labour.
Currently, some 437,000 hectares of the 1.6 mill hectares of peat soil in the state had been cultivated with palm oil.
Jabu hoped the new Tropical Peat Research Laboratory (TPRL) Complex and the R&D support tropical peat research laboratory costing about RM40 million in Kota Samarahan could further develop the once not arable land.
Organising chairman Dr Lulie Melling and Malaysia Peat Society president Frederick Haili Tech also spoke at the function.
Also present were Deputy State Secretary Datu Ose Murang, Ministry of Land Development Permanent Secretary Datu Jaul Samion and Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture Permanent Secretary Datu Dr Ngenang Janggu.
Seven working papers were presented at the one-day workshop, themed ‘Good Plantation Practices for Oil Palm on Tropical Peatland’, that some 550 participants.
Lulie, who is also Tropical Peat Research Laboratory director, presented two papers entitled ‘Tropical Peat – What is so sexy about it?’ and ‘Water Management – Why is it important to keep the hole moist?”
Other presenters are Chua Kian Hong from Sarawak Oil Palm Berhad (How to handle the ‘Big Hole’, agriculture consultant Dr Ho Cheng Tuck (Integrated Pest & Disease Management – Why is ‘Speedy Gonzales’ needed), Ramesh Veloo of Tradewinds Sdn Bhd (Harvesting Operations & Management – How to ensure a ‘Good Quickie’), Goh Kah Joo of Applied Agricultural Resources Sdn Bhd (‘Fertilizer properties & Management – How to maximize your investment), and his colleague Wong Choo Kien (Selection of Good Planting materials – How to Choose?).
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu said these NGOs condemned the government because they were jealous of the state’s success in utilising difficult land, especially peat soil, for oil palm.
Launching the `Tropical Peat 2013’ workshop here yesterday, Jabu said Sarawakians, especially local scientists and oil palm planters, should have no fear in fi ghting these oppressive NGOs in order to correct global perceptions of the oil palm industry.
“Let us be united to fi ght these NGOs who are jealous of our success. What have they done for our people? In fact, they are only making our people’s lives difficult.
“We are opening up more land, especially peat soil, for oil palm cultivation to eradicate poverty and to provide jobs to our people and to give our children hope.”
He said these NGOs were stooges of some US-based soya bean growers to run down the oil palm industry.
Jabu, who is also Minister of Rural Development and Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, said the oil palm industry had helped save Malaysia to withstand the global economic meltdown from 1997 to 1998.
“This golden crop will ensure that our economy remain sustainable for the future of our children. Our state government believes that our land development and other economic initiatives, such as the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), will ensure that Sarawak will be the most advanced state in Malaysia by 2030.”
He said he was glad that local scientists had done extensive research on managing peat soil.
The better yield and efficient ways in cultivating peat soil were fruits of their labour.
Currently, some 437,000 hectares of the 1.6 mill hectares of peat soil in the state had been cultivated with palm oil.
Jabu hoped the new Tropical Peat Research Laboratory (TPRL) Complex and the R&D support tropical peat research laboratory costing about RM40 million in Kota Samarahan could further develop the once not arable land.
Organising chairman Dr Lulie Melling and Malaysia Peat Society president Frederick Haili Tech also spoke at the function.
Also present were Deputy State Secretary Datu Ose Murang, Ministry of Land Development Permanent Secretary Datu Jaul Samion and Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture Permanent Secretary Datu Dr Ngenang Janggu.
Seven working papers were presented at the one-day workshop, themed ‘Good Plantation Practices for Oil Palm on Tropical Peatland’, that some 550 participants.
Lulie, who is also Tropical Peat Research Laboratory director, presented two papers entitled ‘Tropical Peat – What is so sexy about it?’ and ‘Water Management – Why is it important to keep the hole moist?”
Other presenters are Chua Kian Hong from Sarawak Oil Palm Berhad (How to handle the ‘Big Hole’, agriculture consultant Dr Ho Cheng Tuck (Integrated Pest & Disease Management – Why is ‘Speedy Gonzales’ needed), Ramesh Veloo of Tradewinds Sdn Bhd (Harvesting Operations & Management – How to ensure a ‘Good Quickie’), Goh Kah Joo of Applied Agricultural Resources Sdn Bhd (‘Fertilizer properties & Management – How to maximize your investment), and his colleague Wong Choo Kien (Selection of Good Planting materials – How to Choose?).