FOR REMEMBRANCE: Ai (second left) presenting a memento to Jabu. Also seen are China’s consul general in Kuching Xie Fugen (left) and Deputy State Secretary Datu Ose Murang.
KUCHING: Agrotourism packages are being planned for the Bakun and Murum hydroelectric dams under an in-depth study by the state government.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu said besides generating renewable energy and stable power supply for heavy industries, the dams could also be developed as scenic spots.
“Chief Minister (Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud) instructed months ago to look into the potential of agrotourism and the Sarawak Planning Unit (SPU) is the conducting secretariat. It will be a long-term study from pre-construction until after construction of dams, impoundment and stabilising the water level as well as to address problems as and when. The study must not be too rigid,” he told journalists after receiving a courtesy call from China’s vice-minister of International Relations Ai Ping and his delegation yesterday.
Jabu, who is Minister of Rural Development and Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, said recreational packages and programmes could be drawn up after the impoundment of the dams.
“They can be made attractive destinations given the scenic beauty of the impoundment. We can build chalets around, the features of the lakes should be utilised and also some fishery programmes to promote the aquaculture industry,” he said. Jabu said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had announced an RM5.5 million grant for the breeding of empurau, the most expensive freshwater fish in Malaysia.
The government allocation, he said, would be used to build facilities to rear empurau and subsequently supply existing commercial farmers and rural entrepreneurs.
“We need to seek rivers or lakes in these hydro areas to rear empurau or set up a caged area so that empurau can be reared within.” He said the costly freshwater fish would find a niche market among the Chinese overseas.
“A lot of young people in China are prospering and they do not mind spending on quality products like empurau. If we were to export our empurau to China, it might cost more than RM1,000 per kilogramme.” He added that an empurau weighing 2kg costs RM780 in Kuala Lumpur. On the courtesy call, Jabu said the Chinese government wanted to continue good co-operation with Malaysia.
“I also assured the Excellency Ai Ping that Sarawak together with other states in Malaysia will be committed towards fostering good relations in terms of social, economy and technical,” he said.