Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal
KENINGAU: The Sabah Government will thoroughly examine the proposal to hand over the management of the Keningau Integrated Livestock Centre (KILC) project to the private sector as it has provided many benefits to the breeders as well as the state.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said it was important to determine how the government could help the breeders if the project was privatised.
“Whatever we do should be for the benefit of the people. It does not mean that whenever there is a problem (with a project), we just sell it off,” he told reporters after a working visit to several locations related to the industry here today.
Earlier, when Mohd Shafie visited the KILC, Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA) chief executive officer Datuk Dr Mohd Yaakub Johari in his short speech suggested that the government hand over the management of the KILC to the private sector for the long-term success of the project.
The performance of the centre operating on an 834-hectare site in Pekan Kecil Sook since 2013, was previously reported to be on the decline.
Meanwhile, commenting on his visit to several agricultural and livestock farms as well as timber industry centres in the district, Mohd Shafie said industry players here needed to increase their capabilities by producing new products.
“My visit today was fruitful, and I see industry players here providing great benefits to the people by creating many job opportunities.
He also urged those in the timber industry to expand their respective operations by creating downstream industries in an effort to increase employment opportunities. -Bernama