Pepper industry needs to emphasise on quality and identity of Sarawak pepper to increase competitiveness in world market, says Dr Noraini

SPAOH,Sept 17 2026: Minister of Plantation and Commodity Dr Noraini Ahmad stressed that the pepper industry needs to shift from pursuing production volume to a value-based approach by emphasising on the quality and identity of Sarawak pepper to increase the competitiveness of Malaysian products in the world market.

Caption: Minister Dr Noraini Ahmad  speaking at the opening of the Pepper Industry Sustainability Seminar organised by the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB)

She said the success of the pepper industry is not only dependent on production volume, but also judged based on the value received by farmers.

“When quality meets market requirements, the country’s pepper can be marketed at a higher value,” she said today.

She was speaking at the opening of the Pepper Industry Sustainability Seminar organised by the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB) which was officiated by Deputy Premierr Douglas Uggah Embas at the Spaoh Community Hall today.

She said that under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), every government aid and programme must produce a clear impact on farmers, including in terms of the type of produce desired by the market, the level of quality and the value obtained.

Under the Pepper Cultivation Sustainability Programme, the government is targeting the development of 750 hectares of premium pepper crops, in addition to the management of 800 hectares of mature pepper crops, she said.

Dr Noraini also stressed on the importance of technology and innovation in ensuring that the pepper industry continues to grow in line with current developments.

She said that the 'Dr. Lada' and 'Nutri Lada' applications will be combined under the 13th RMK in a more comprehensive and user-friendly platform to make it easier for farmers to obtain information and related services.

"If technology can save time, increase yields and help farmers make more accurate decisions, its use needs to be expanded because innovation cannot stop as a pilot project or demonstration alone," she said.

Baram Member of Parliament, Anyi Ngau, who is also MPB chairman, said the seminar is specifically organised to provide exposure to farmers regarding assistance, technology and innovation, agricultural input management and pepper marketing.

He said that the approach is important to help farmers manage their farms better, increase productivity and maintain the quality of the produce.

Meanwhile, a total of 150 pepper farmers in Betong received assistance totaling RM1.2 million to support the management and development of pepper crops in the area.

The assistance was presented by Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas, together with Dr Noraini Ahmad.

Of the amount, RM772,000 was distributed to 73 farmers through Premium Pepper Planting Assistance, while RM430,200 was distributed to 77 farmers for the Mature Pepper Crop Management Assistance category.

Farm Facility and Equipment Assistance in the form of pepper shredders and spiral separators, as well as Farm Equipment Facility Strengthening Assistance involving lawn mowers and motorized liquid sprayers, were also presented.

At the same event, MPB signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with Sarawak Oil Palm Berhad (SOPB) and Ajimoto (Malaysia) Berhad to open up space for sharing expertise and new opportunities in the development of the pepper industry.

Also present were Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development (M-FICORD) Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Deputy Minister of Plantations and Commodities Huang Tiong Sii and Betong Member of Parliament Dr Richard Rapu

Sarawak, federal government officials holding engagement session in preparation for next year's federal budget

KUCHING, Sept 17 2026: The Sarawak and federal government officials held an engagement session today in preparation for the 2027 federal budget to ensure that Sarawak's needs and priorities are highlighted.

Caption: State Secretary Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki leading the state government officials holding engagement session with federal government officials

State Secretary Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki said the session with a delegation from the Malaysian Ministry of Finance (MOF) also served as a platform to exchange views on matters close to the people's interests.

He said that among the matters discussed were the cost of living, social protection, education, health and basic services, as well as efforts to increase competitiveness, productivity and economic resilience.

"I appreciate this kind of engagement approach because it provides space for Sarawak's views, needs and priorities to be highlighted in the process of preparing national policies and budgets," he said in a Facebook post today.

He said a good cooperation and communication between the Sarawak and federal governments must continue to be strengthened to ensure that the development and delivery of services provide real benefits to the people.

The session with the MOF was led by Deputy Secretary-General of the Treasury (Policy) Zamzuri Abdul Aziz.

Also present were State Financial Secretary Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar and State Deputy Financial Secretary Hasmawati Sapawi.

Access to clean air is fundamentally a human rights issue, says Suhakam on many areas recorded poor air quality in Sarawak

KUCHING, Sept 17 2026: Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has expressed its grave concern over the worsening haze situation affecting Malaysia, particularly in Sarawak, where several areas have recorded hazardous air quality levels. 

It said the current episode has caused severe air pollution in affected communities, necessitating emergency measures, including the closure of schools.

"Access to clean air is fundamentally a human rights issue. Haze pollution directly threatens the enjoyment of a range of human rights, including the rights to life, health, education, information, safe and healthy working conditions, and a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. 

"The current situation is a stark reminder that transboundary haze is largely a human-induced problem," it said in a statement today.

Suhakam said the underlying causes include unsustainable land-use practices, peatland degradation, agricultural expansion, land and forest fires, and inadequate accountability and environmental governance mechanisms. 

"While weather conditions may intensify haze episodes, they should not obscure the need to address these underlying and preventable causes," Suhakam said, adding that it is particularly concerned about the public health consequences of prolonged exposure to haze pollutants, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, increased hospital admissions and premature mortality. Previous severe haze episodes have also resulted in school closures, disruption to livelihoods, loss of economic productivity and significant healthcare costs.

"While environmental degradation affects everyone, its impacts are not experienced equally," it said, pointing out that children, pregnant women, older persons, persons with disabilities and individuals with existing health
vulnerabilities may face greater health risks. 

"Outdoor workers and lower-income communities may also have fewer options to reduce their exposure, particularly where their livelihoods," it stressed.

"The recurring haze crisis demonstrates that the right to clean air cannot be protected through reactive measures alone, " Suhakam said, adding that a coordinated, rights-based, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach is urgently needed to address the structural causes of haze pollution and ensure that public health, environmental sustainability and human dignity are not sacrificed for short-term economic interests.

AirAsia to restore three routes while MAS and Firefly to increase flight frequencies to Sarawak

KUCHING, Sept 17 2026: Budget airline AirAsia will resume three routes while Malaysia Airlines and Firefly are also increasing their flight frequencies to Sarawak.

Caption: Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin says that budget airline  AirAsia will resume the Kuching-Kota Bharu service on October 27, followed by Bintulu-Kota Kinabalu on November 1 and Sibu-Kota Kinabalu on November 2.

Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin said the latest developments were conveyed during separate courtesy calls and briefings by representatives of AirAsia and Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) last Tuesday.

“For Sarawak, adequate flight capacity is very important, especially during school holidays and festive seasons when demand increases significantly.

“We welcome the resumption of routes and additional frequencies, which will provide passengers with more travel options,” he said in a statement today. 

He explained that AirAsia will resume the Kuching-Kota Bharu service on October 27, followed by Bintulu-Kota Kinabalu on November 1 and Sibu-Kota Kinabalu on November 2.

The airline will also increase frequencies on several key routes from November, with its Kuala Lumpur-Kuching service set to rise from 63 to 77 flights per week, while additional frequencies are also planned for services involving Sibu, Miri, Bintulu, Penang, Johor Bahru and Pontianak.

Lee said he was informed of the additional frequencies by AirAsia Sarawak Affairs director Hamdan Mohamad.

He also raised concerns over passenger complaints about high last-minute airfares, with MOTS receiving feedback of fares involving Sarawak exceeding RM1,000 in some instances.

“We understand that airfares are influenced by demand, available capacity and the timing of bookings. 

“However, not everyone who buys a ticket at the last minute is travelling by choice. Some need to travel urgently because of family matters, medical reasons or other unforeseen circumstances,” he said.

Lee suggested that AirAsia explore whether a reasonable fare ceiling or other appropriate mechanism could be considered to prevent last-minute fares from becoming excessively high.

“We understand the commercial considerations involved in airline operations, but we hope there can be a reasonable balance between commercial viability and the needs of passengers,” he said.

He stressed that MOTS would continue to engage airlines on flight capacity, connectivity and airfares to ensure sufficient and reasonably accessible air services for Sarawak, particularly during periods of high passenger demand. 

Lee said he was briefed by MAG that Malaysia Airlines plans to add a combined 11 weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, Miri, Sibu and Bintulu, increasing the total from 86 to 97 flights per week under its 2027 schedule.
Firefly, which is also part of MAG, is planning to increase its Kuala Lumpur-Kuching service to 14 flights per week from February 2027.