29/06/2011 (Borneo Post) - Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud advised Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) to invest in programmes that can increase its earnings.

Taib, who is also planning and resource management minister, said Salcra must expand its activities beyond merely providing dividends to participants of its scheme every year.

“This is what we must think about. I’m not saying you must do this but for those who want to diversify and increase their money, they would want an investment programme they could count on. Why not think of a Salcra investment programme?” he suggested.

“Between investing money in funds like Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) and others, why not also think of shares that are important to the expansion and investment programme of Salcra,” he said.

The chief minister said this during Salcra Appreciation Night and Gawai Dayak dinner at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here on Sunday night.

He added that Salcra could also expand through collaborations with related agencies such as Land Custody Development Authority (LCDA) in running native customary rights (NCR) land development.

“One thing about management is this: If you don’t expand, you get stagnant.

“If you get stagnant, you’re bound to to face a decline one of these days; and that is something we must understand about in business. So I think it is in your best interest to think about expanding your activities,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang said Salcra is expected to achieve higher dividends this year compared to RM74 million in 2010.

“This year’s trend is very good as Salcra has achieved more than 20,000 tonnes FFB (fresh fruit bunch) increase for the first six months this year.

“By the end of 2011, we are optimistic that we can pay a lot more dividends to our Salcra participants,” he said.

Jabu, who is also Land Development Minister, added that the performance of Salcra’s four palm oil mills have been high with above average extraction rate.

Also present at the event were Taib’s wife Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib, Jabu’s wife Dato Sri Empiang Jabu, Minister of Land Development Tan Sri Dr James Masing and Assistant Minister of Environment, Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie.