Financial position solid: CM

Penampang: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the State Government is able to fulfil requests for allocations to finance people-related projects because its finances are very firm.

He said that the Auditor-General in his report confirmed this, adding that Sabah is also very peaceful, which is why many investors are flocking to the State to invest.

"Ini bukan angkat bakul sendiri (this is not a case of self praise) but it is a fact," he said at the closing of the State-level Tadau Kaamatan at Hongkod Koisaan, here, by Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, Thursday.

It is for this reason, he said, that when the event's implementing organising chairman hinted at financial support from the government, he approved it on the spot.

"We also can approve any applications (for projects) if we have the money.

Tapi kalau aiso usin (but if we don't have money) what can we do?" he asked.

Towards this end, he said, because the government has strong financial reserves, it is able to fulfil the request of the Kaamatan organising committee.

He said such is the Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership, that it is willing to render its assistance to anything that benefits the people.

Musa noted that during the launching of the traditional games on Wednesday, people from all backgrounds came happily to join in the celebration at Hongkod Koisaan.

Despite the diversity in ethnicity among the people, he said, they have been able to celebrate the occasion in harmony.

On this, he urged the people to conserve their respective customs and culture that they inherited from their ancestors.

He said the Kaamatan is a good platform to strengthen the already existing unity among the people.
"This is very important so as to preserve the peace and harmony in the country and State," he said.
He said it is also an advantage to Sabah because investors usually look for these criteria before investing in a certain location.

He said the two US companies that expressed their intention to invest in prawn cultivation and fruit farming in Sabah recently stated that what attracted them here was the peaceful environment that Sabah has to offer.

"There are so many places they could make their investment. So, why did they come here?
"It's because this is a peaceful state," he said.

Musa said he was with the Romanian Ambassador on Wednesday and the latter confided that he was very impressed with Sabah.

"He said that the people in Sabah and their culture is beautiful," he said, adding because of this, the people of Sabah should be proud of their State.

"So, don't worry because we are (certainly) on the right track," he said.

Taken from : Daily Express Online
http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=81704

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Sabah's progress due to Musa: Pairin

Penampang: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan firmly believes that Sabah will continue to progress under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

"This is because Musa has a good track record and it is already proven. Under the leadership of the dynamic and progressive Chief Minister, I have full confidence that Sabah will continue to be progressive and achieve the objectives," he said at the closing of the State-level Tadau Kaamatan at Hongkod Koisaan, Thursday.

Head of State, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin officiated at the closing at which his wife, Toh Puan Norlidah R.M. Jasni, was also present.

I n the effort to steer Malaysia towards developed nation status by 2020, he said the Barisan Nasional (BN) Government really appreciates the firm support of the people.

He said to achieve this status is not easy especially when the global economy is erratic.

The situation, he said, requires efficient and effective management and administration.

And the BN Government has proven its credibility and capability to manage the country well despite the challenges.

Hence, Pairin said, under the leadership of Musa, Sabah would continue to make progress.

Thanking Juhar and Musa for their presence at the closing ceremony, he expressed delight on the spirit of unity, respect and cooperation that were displayed by the people in Sabah throughout the month-long Tadau Kaamatan.

Looking at the scenario, he asserted that Sabah is indeed the only State in the country that truly practices the spirit of "Unity in Diversity".

To this, he hoped that the Tadau Kaamatan celebration would continue as a platform for unity among the people of diverse ethnicity and religion.

The Kaamatan theme "Love for Culture Produces Caring Society" this year, he said, is aimed at forming a society that appreciates tolerance, has high sensibility and personality that always respects one another.

"Often times we forget that such qualities could bring us to a level of living that is peaceful and progressive," he said.

Pairin, who is also Huguan Siou (paramount leader) to the Kadazan, Dusun and Murut community, said it is the norm during Kaamatan to reminisce about the origin of the festivity.

He said it is necessary so as to remind society on the beginning of the Kaamatan even though some of the practices that are related to the event are no longer fully practised due to changes in time or unavoidable reasons.

Nevertheless, he said the main concept of the Kaamatan is thanksgiving especially among the farming community.

"As among states that give priority to agriculture, the spirit of thanksgiving is very meaningful and invaluable," he said.

Taken from : Daily Express Online
http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=81702

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Dompok: M'sian exporters need to know emerging trend for legal timber

KUALA LMPUR: With the rising demand in major markets for legal timber, Malaysian timber products exporters have to be mindful of this development and take appropriate steps to comply with new rules, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok.

He said the emerging trend in the developed markets was for more discerning and environment conscious timber products made from legally harvested timber.

For example, the European Union, United States and Australia have either put in place legislation to compel trade in legal timber or they are in the midst of formulating such regulations.

The government, he said, would continue to inform the local timber industry regularly on the latest development in timber trade rules to ensure that the local timber-based business community was not disadvantaged.

Dompok made these remarks at the Malaysian Timber Industry Forum Association (TIF)’s first anniversary dinner here recently.

His speech was delivered, on his behalf, by his deputy Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin.

Six timber industry-related organisations had come together to form TIF, the umbrella body that represents and promotes the interest of timber industries within peninsular Malaysia at the national, regional and international levels.

TIF will also seek to promote, support or oppose legislation affecting the timber industries in Peninsular Malaysia at the state or federal government levels, liaise with any official (government or otherwise) department, organisation or person for the association’s benefit, and provide a forum for consultation, cooperation and coordination among members.

The founding members of TIF are the Association of Malaysian Bumiputera Timber & Furniture Entrepreneurs, Malaysian Furniture Industry Council, Malaysian Wood Industries Association, Malaysian Panel-Products Manufacturers’ Association, Malaysian Wood Moulding and Joinery Council and the Timber Exporters’ Association of Malaysia.

TIF is headed by Datuk Sheikh Othman Rahman with George Tan as Secretary General.
A TIF spokesman said the idea to form TIF was mooted in 1999 by Tunku Osman Ahmad, then Chairman of the Malaysian Timber Council and also President of Malaysian Wood Industries Association, to have regular meetings informally among various sectors of the timber industry in Peninsular Malaysia to discuss and overcome issues faced by them.

Dompok also said Malaysia was now actively engaged with the EU towards finalising a Voluntary Partnership Agreement under the Malaysia-EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade.
“This is in anticipation of the implementation of the due diligence process for timber products imported into the EU beginning March 1, 2013,” he said.

In the case of Australia, its government is in the midst of enacting the Illegal Logging Prohibition Bill 2011 aimed at combating trade in illegal timber.

Malaysia had made two submissions, and the latest one was to the Trade Sub-Committee of the Australian Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade earlier this month.
Dompok said Malaysia conveyed its concerns over the implication of the bill and provided inputs to Australian members of parliament and senators to ensure that they were fully informed of Malaysia’s concerns and were mindful of the various potential consequences which may arise with the implementation of the bill.

He said the government wanted to ensure that the new regulation in Australia would be fair and pragmatic, and did not over-burden timber product exporters, and also did not incur additional cost.


Source: New Sabah Times Online
Read more : http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/59167

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Sabah entrepreneurs urged to produce local products for franchising

KOTA KINABALU: Entrepreneurs in Sabah have been urged to come up with their own food-based products which can be franchised throughout the country via the Community Franchise Programme.

In making this call, the Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the community franchise business had potential for involvement by the low and middle income groups, as well as those seeking a side income.

“In Sabah, the micro (Franchise Package) is not yet available as we have just introduced it and we hope that after this, it will expand in the state.

“What I want is for them (entrepreneurs) to on their own develop local products to be franchised at home first before doing so throughout the country.

“This is because the franchise brought in from the peninsula does not sometimes benefit the franchisor…curtailing its expansion,” he added.

Ismail Sabri said this when asked to comment on the level of participation by entrepreneurs or traders in Sabah in the Community Franchise Programme after its launch at Taman Putra Jaya in Telipok near here yesterday.

Also present was Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin citing the ‘burger and soup Sabah’ as an example. He said products such as these could be introduced for the purpose of this business.

He said the government had allocated RM8 million for the Small Franchise Loans Scheme (SPKF) to assist entrepreneurs enter the franchise business on a micro basis.

Ismail Sabri said until May 14 this year, there were 144 applications approved under the SPKF with approved allocations of about RM3.2 million.

In this regard, he asked entrepreneurs in the state to grab business opportunities by applying for the easy loans without deposits of up to RM50,000 with an annual three per cent interest and payable within five years.

He said from October 9 last year to May 14, 2012, nine community franchise programmes had been held with an investment potential reaching RM66.3 million with about 619 franchisors. — Bernama

Source: Borneo Post Online
Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/05/19/sabah-entrepreneurs-urged-to-produce-local-products-for-franchising/#ixzz1wETdeNQ4

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SME Corp Approves RM110.7 Million In Loans This Year To Sabah SMEs

TAWAU: SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp) has approved grants and loans totalling RM110.7 million as of April this year to help micro, small and medium entrepreneurs in Sabah, said state Assistant Finance Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan.

Tawfiq said the amount was approved to 580 applicants out of the 753 applications received by SME Corp.

“In Sabah there are about 25,000 small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs), and of these 19,000 are micro enterprises with five or fewer employees and about 4,900 small firms, with the remaining 1,000 in the medium category,” he told reporters after launching a gathering of micro, small and medium entrepreneurs together with a seminar on halal certification and workshop on packaging and branding here yesterday.

The state government as well as federal agencies like SME Corp are focusing their efforts on helping micro enterprises to grow, he said, citing the Bumiputera Enterprise Enhancement Programme (BEEP) and assistance with getting halal and ISO certification.

Tawfiq said the government was also trying to raise SMEs’ contribution to gross domestic product from 33 per cent in 2011 to 40 per cent by 2020. He also urged SME entrepreneurs not to misuse the loans from the government and to repay their loans, as well as to make full use of the facilities provided by state government agencies such as the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), Sawit Kinabalu and Sabah Softwood Bhd. — Bernama

 

Source: Borneo Post Online

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/05/22/sme-corp-approves-rm110-7-million-in-loans-this-year-to-sabah-smes/#ixzz1wESglAdM

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RM500 million Federal grant to cover 10pc project costs

BONGAWAN: The Federal Government has allocated RM500 million as a grant to cover 10 per cent of the total cost of on-going projects worth about RM5 billion in Sabah.

The Public Private Partnership Unit (UKAS) under the Prime Minister's Department gave the grant to help local entrepreneurs particularly contractors completing basic infrastructures in each project.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, who announced this, said the RM500 million comes from the facilitation funds of UKAS to lessen the contractors' burden in providing basic amenities and other necessary infrastructures to the projects.

He said such move is also aimed at encouraging the private sector to invest in these projects that include building resorts, new townships, geothermal plant in Tawau, Sabah International Convention Centre in the State Capital and other development in technology and industrial aspects.

"UKAS has identified all these vast projects and is giving 10 per cent of the total construction cost of the projects as a catalyst to the nation's economic growth, especially Sabah.

"This 10 per cent grant is not a loan," he said, urging local entrepreneurs to grab this assistance rendered by the government for them.

Musa, who is also Finance Minister, said this a press conference after launching the 4th Sabah Foundation with the People Programme for the Interior South Zone at SMK Bongawan II here on Saturday.

The programme aims to disseminate information on development plans carried out by the government that have been implemented and benefited the people, and also to foster ties between the leaders and the local communities here with the State and Federal government departments and agencies.

About 8,000 people attended the event including Foreign Minister cum Kimanis MP Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor, his assistant minister Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar, State Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Datuk Johnny Mositun, Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun, Sabah Foundation Director Tan Sri Datu Khalil Datu Jamalul, Bongawan assemblyman Datuk Karim Bujang, Membakut assemblyman Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, Sipitang MP Datuk Sapawi Ahmad, Lumadan assemblyman Kamarlin Ombi, Kuala Penyu assemblyman John Teo, Papar District Officer Iman Ali and other officials.

"For instance, on a RM100 million project, UKAS will give 10 per cent which is equivalent to RM10 million as facilitation fund for the contractors to construct infrastructures like roads, lamp post, water, electric and drainage system among others.

"By doing so, the contractors would not feel too burdened to complete the projects as they are being assisted through the grant of 10 per cent," said Musa.

He said the RM5 billion worth of projects is proof of the BN's commitment and concern for the development needs of the people.

Meanwhile, Musa said the Bongawan and Membakut State seats would be combined to create a full district status.

"Both seats have the criteria to fulfil the requirement to be upgraded as a full district due to the request of the people and rapid development here.

"We will discuss which area is to provide the centre of local administration that will accommodate the needs of the people.

"By having a full district, the Bongawan people do not have to go to Papar to do their official errands with the respective local authorities and those in Membakut do not have to go to Beaufort," Musa said.


Source: Daily Express Online
              http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=81637

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Sabah's oil palm sector expected to grow bigger

LABUAN: Sabah’s oil palm industry expected to grow even bigger with eastern Sabah identified as being an extremely good location for oil palm, particularly in Tawau, Lahad Datu and Sandakan.

“This area is where most plantations and smallholders are located, with two major downstream projects providing increasingly sophisticated downstream services for the sector,” said Jerel Soo, managing director of Fireworks Event (M) Sdn Bhd, an event management consulting group, specialising in palm oil exhibition.

He said palm oil, being one of the federal government’s NKEA (National Key Economic Area), meant that this sector would receive special attention via incentives and programmes in the years ahead.
“Therefore, we are in the move to help organise the largest Palm Oil Exhibition (Palmex) 2012 to assist in bringing in more business to the local players,” he said.

Soo confirmed a total of 130 booths were taken up, of which more than 80 comprised overseas exhibitors. The Singapore Government has subsidised over 10 companies to help promote downstream technologies in palm oil industries.

“The NKEA covers everything from growing trees to sophisticated downstream industries such as oleochemicals, alongside increasing the number of applications for what was once seen as waste products like empty fruit bunches.

“Expanding the sector further would mean tackling some major challenges, however. Issues such as the scarcity of land in Sabah, challenges in seeking skilled workers, lack of mechanisation and so forth were hampering the growth of this sector, and this need to be given special attention.
“As far as we are concerned, to combat this, several key initiatives have been put in place under the NKEA via entry point projects,” he said.

“It is noted and was made to understand that the government has an obligatory replanting scheme under way. Through this scheme, all trees over 25 years of age must be replaced with younger ones.

“The MPOB would provide financial support for smallholders to do this, with the new trees to be of new strains, further boosting yields. Some RM1 billion has been earmarked for this purpose,” he said.
All in all, Sabah’s oil palm industry is poised for major new developments that are set to impact industry players, from growers to exporters.

According to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), in 2009, Sabah had the largest area under oil palm cultivation than any state, at 1.36 million hectares out of the national total of 4.69 million hectares (ha).
Yields, too, were generally stronger at an average of 4.3 tonnes per ha in 2010 – the highest of any state in the federation.

Meanwhile, Soo said, downstream processes was another segment under palm oil which was receiving great focus.

“It is learnt, however, the importance of the palm oil industry to Sabah cannot be merely measured by the direct revenue stream it generates as it has much more wide-reaching and important contributions to the state,” he said.

“The palm oil industry will have to take a leading role because of the linkages it has with other sectors – from energy to construction and manufacturing – and of course, due to the sheer size of the industry compared with the others in Sabah.”

The Palm Oil Industry Cluster of Sawit Kinabalu Bhd (POIC) Lahad Datu was also promoting industries that would use the large volume of biomass generated from Sabah’s oil palm plantations.

One particular independent power producer has taken the initiative towards making POIC more environmental friendly by signing up to generate power and steam on site using biomass.

“Investors such as these thus solve two problems for POICs: providing a reliable source of power and making use of the many forms of waste from palm oil processing.”

As a result, Sabah’s POICs should therefore be able to look forward to varied investors knocking on their doors in years to come, in addition to adding value to the palm oil industry in their own backyards.


Source: New Sabah Times Online
             http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/59058 

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