Musa wants more Bernas joint-ventures for Sabah

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KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman called for more joint-ventures between Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas) and the state government, especially in rice production and research.

Musa said the state was still far from the percentage needed in terms of rice production.

He thanked the federal government in developing paddy fields in Sabah towards achieving self-sufficiency, saying the joint venture with Bernas was still needed to ensure higher rice production in the future.

Musa said he had appointed Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin as the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry so that the latter could develop the paddy fields in Kota Belud.

He also urged Bernas to ensure that the rice supplied to Sabah was of good quality.

Musa said he was once the director of Sabah Paddy Board, and there was a time when the rice supplied to Sabah was of poor quality.

Bernas must not use Sabah as a dumping ground and the rice supplied to the state must be of good quality, he said during Bernas breaking of fast event here yesterday.

On the other hand, Musa commended the company for its ‘Bowl for Humanity’ programme whereby 25 grams of rice would be contributed to orphanages in Malaysia, including Sabah, for every 10 kilogrammes of rice sold.

Musa said the effort by Bernas truly showed that the company played their corporate social responsibility (CSR) role to the people in the country.

Bernas also presented a donation of RM10,000 each to five orphanages in Sabah during the event.

“This initiative is very meaningful and anticipated by the underprivileged group and orphans.

“I support and welcome the consistent effort that is done by Bernas annually,” he said.

The orphanages that received the contributions were Rumah Anak Yatim Al-Amn, Beaufort; Rumah Anak Yatim Ar-Raudhoh, Tawau; Rumah Putera Harapan, Ranau; Rumah Anak Yatim Suria, Tuaran and Rumah Anak Yatim Darul Bakti, Kota Belud.

The state government also received rice worth a total of RM 409,375 from Bernas.

Besides contributing to orphanages, Bernas also contributed rice to the underprivileged group through voluntary bodies, assemblymen, members of parliament, government departments and agencies as well as schools.

Also present was Bernas chairman Tan Sri Syed Abdul Jabbar Shahabudin.