Day: January 18, 2022

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Diversify commodity crops for consistent income – Bung Moktar

TAWAU, Jan 18 — lFarmers in Sabah are advised to diversify their commodity crops to ensure consistent income in the event of a fall in the price of one of the crop.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said the price of each commodity crop depended on on the current market and if only one commodity crop was planted, such as oil palm, the farmers would get less income should the price of oil palm drop.

“That is why farmers, settlers and smallholders should not rely or focus on planting one type of commodity only, when the price of one crop falls, they will face problems, they need to go into mix farming to diversify income,” he said in a statement in conjunction with his visit to Kampung Rancangan Apas Proper here today.

According to him, there are various crops that can be cultivated, including musang king durian, pineapple, avocado and vegetables that are in high demand and have good market.

Apart from that, he said they should also not be dependent on foreign workers, but to get more locals to work in the sector.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated development, Bung Moktar said UMNO is always opened to former members who wanted to return to the party.

“The people are beginning to accept Barisan Nasional and UMNO’s struggle again.This is evident with the people voting for Barisan Nasional in a series of by-elections and state elections held in several states.

“UMNO and Barisan Nasional are gaining a place in the hearts of the people because of their commitment to help the people,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Boat capsize: Six illegal immigrants rescued, seven still missing

JOHOR BAHRU, Jan 18 — Six Indonesian illegal immigrants were rescued, while seven others are believed to be still missing when their boat capsized after it was hit by strong waves in waters off Pontian early today.

Johor Maritime director Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria said the Johor Bahru Maritime Rescue Sub Center (MRSC) received a report on six individuals rescued by a local fishing boat at 0.3 nautical miles southwest of Pontian Besar, at 10 am today.

He said based on information from the survivors, the boat was carrying 13 people, including the skipper.

“Following which, a search and rescue operation (SAR) was activated at 10.20 am,” he said in a statement here today.

He said an AW139 aircraft and a KILAT 12 boat had been deployed for the SAR operation for the missing victims.

On the six survivors, he said, they were sent to Pontian Hospital for treatment.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Cooperation from industry players, support from govt can help revive film industry – Finas

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 18 — The Malaysian Film Development Corporation (Finas) expressed confidence of the film industry making a recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic with the cooperation of the film industry players and support from the government.

Finas chief executive officer Prof Dr Md Nasir Ibrahim said various programmes and initiatives had been planned this year to mobilise the film industry, including providing flexibility for the use of equipment, including studio production equipment.

“If our films are not reactivated, it will affect the ecosystem of the film industry. If there is no funds and no producer with strong finances, then no film can be produced and this will affect the directors, actors and actresses, as well as production crew,” he said.

He said the Amateur Enhancement Programme by the Film Directors Association of Malaysa (FDAM) to produce young directors was a good effort.

“If all parties, including associations under Finas, play their respective roles, I am confident that our film industry will revive,” he said flagging-off the crew and cast for the film “Misteri Hutan Tok Kepak” (MHTK) at the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station here today.

Also present were FDAM president Dr Ahmad Ibrahim, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) chief corporate officer Suhaimi Yaacob and FDAM Advisory Council member Shuhaimi Baba.

Meanwhile, Ahmad said FDAM aimed to produce at least 10 young producers among its amateurs every year through the products of low-cost films.

“Since end of 2019, beginning with the first four members, now the number of FDAM amateur members has reached almost 300 people from all over the country. They are from various background and career, including lecturers, lawyers, businessmen, producers, actors as well as new graduates.

“Although they have no experience in film directing, they have shown interests to get the knowledge and skills from senior directors,” he added.

He said the film Misteri Hutan Tok Kepak co -produced by FDAM and K. Titanium Pictures was a pilot film production project undertaken entirely by the first generation of young producers among FDAM amateurs.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Oil palm production could be a game-changer for Sri Lanka’s rural economy | Daily FT

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Daily Financial Times

In April 2021, the Sri Lankan Government took an unprecedented decision of banning palm oil imports and ordered the uprooting of oil palm trees to be replaced with rubber trees. The main reason cited was palm oil’s negative social and environmental impacts based on a contestable report prepared in 2018. After a few days of the order, the import of palm oil that costs Sri Lankan exchequer $ 88 million was reversed. However, the ban on oil palm cultivation continues. The policy of reversing palm oil imports was a prudent one that helped to manage the immediate crisis faced by the local food and … Continue reading “Oil palm production could be a game-changer for Sri Lanka’s rural economy | Daily FT”