DIVIDEND PAYOUT: Jabu Presents A Mock Cheque To Pelangi (Second Left) As Entulu (Left) And
Mauh (Right) Look On

19/12/2011 (Borneo Post) - Landowners participating in oil palm plantation ventures in the state should consider offering themselves as workers.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang said this was one way of overcoming the perennial problem of worker shortage in the industry.

He said this before presenting dividends totalling RM1.5 million to 404 participants of the Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra) oil palm plantation in the Nanga Sekuau Regrouping and Resettlement Scheme, about 40 kilometres from here, yesterday.

Jabu, who is also the Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture Modernisation and Minister of Rural Development, said a sufficient and efficient workforce could translate to better harvest, better profit and dividends.

He said the government was now actively promoting oil palm cultivation as it was part of the nation’s economic transformation programme.

“Land owners have the option of going on their own or going into joint ventures with established agencies and the private sector.

“They need not worry about losing their lands in any approved joint venture as the government will protect their interest through its agency, the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA).”

Also present at the function were Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Joseph Entulu, Felcra general manager for participants management Mohd Fauzi Mohd Tahir, Tamin assemblyman Joseph Mauh Ikeh, LCDA general manager Abdullah Chek Sahamat and Nanga Sekuau Task Force Committee chairman Pelangi Dato.

Jabu said the 2,017 ha Nanga Sekuau plantation had the potential to yield even better harvest and dividends if it had enough workers, especially harvesters.

On the dividends, Jabu advised the participants to use them wisely.

Meanwhile, Jabu said Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra), of which he is the chairman, would have failed in its core business of developing and managing oil palm plantations if it had paid heed to accusations and criticisms levelled at it on the websites and blogs.

“Certain people have even said it was a scheme by us to rob the people of their land.

“This has caused certain hesitation and opposition from the landowners.”

On the other hand, he said Salcra had proven its critics wrong as since its formation 32 years ago it had paid more than RM500 million in dividends.

“This year it is going to pay RM100.9 million, its biggest dividend thus far.”