KOTA KINABALU: The Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and the Performance Management & Delivery Unit (PEMANDU) have allocated RM46 million to Yayasan UMS for seaweed cultivation as mini estates project in Semporna.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) seaweed research unit director, Professor Dr Suhaimi Md Yasir said this to reporters following the launch of the Yayasan UMS and Auditorium Yeoh Tiong Lay (YTL) building yesterday.
The project is aimed at alleviating poverty and that the Sabah Parks has given them the approval to conduct the pilot scheme.
Dr Suhaimi said that 40 families in Semporna will be involved in the project.
Once operational, the project promises RM2,000 income per month per family, he said.
He also said that they had conducted a similar project in Pulau Banggi, Kudat between 1998 and 2007.
“More than 100 families were involved in the project and they are now reaping between RM500 and RM800 per month in profit,” he said.
He hoped the country will follow Indonesia’s example to ban the export of raw seaweed and encourage the downstream processing of the raw seaweed within the country.
He said that seaweed is a much sought-after commodity throughout the world and is used in the processing of many food items.
He added that UMS and Yayasan UMS hope to build the university as a centre of excellence for seaweed.