Tapioca factory for Nabawan

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NABAWAN: The State Government will seek to establish a tapioca factory in Nabawan, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman, here.

He said there were two tapioca factories in the state at present, namely in Kudat and Tawau respectively.

There is a market for tapioca as it can be processed into flour for export to China, he said when opening the district level Kaamatan Festival at the tamu ground open stage here yesterday.

Musa believes that the factory can encourage people in this area to cultivate tapioca to generate income.

He also said the Tapioca Festival held here could provide inputs to the people of this district, especially in improving their living standards and economy.

At the same time he also announced an annually grant of RM50,000 to organise the Tapioca Festival here, beginning this year.

He hoped through the festival, Nabawan would attract domestic and foreign tourists.

At the event, Musa also announced an allocation of RM500,000 for the construction of a longhouse equipped with a ‘lansaran’.

Speaking on the tourism sector in the state, he said the state had become a focus to thousands of tourists from Asian and other European countries.

“Foreign tourists are attracted by the beauty of this state as this state is unique, with its lovely, friendly people,” he said.

On the Kaamatan Festival he said it was a thanksgiving to God for the good harvest as well as to strengthen solidarity.

At the same time he said the Kaamatan Festival, Panawari or tamu besar and Elau Eluii or Tapioca Festival celebrations provided an opportunity for government leaders to be with the people.

Musa also commended the district administration where the district officers and government leaders such as state assemblymen and members of parliament in the area were aware of the development  that the people wanted.

More than 15,000 people including Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development Datuk Bobbey Ahfang Suan, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Ellron Alfred Angin, Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Datuk Haji Sairin Karno, the District Officer who is also the coordinating chairman  Fredian Gan, Pensiangan Umno chief Datuk Haji Abdul Ghani Yassin, Senator Datuk Dr Lucas Umbul, State National Security Council Rozi Mat Saad, heads of state and federal departments and community leaders

Earlier, Musa also launched the Mobile Community Transformation Center (CTC) program and visited an exhibition by 46 state and federal government departments and a Murut longhouse.