1.21 million hectares of land had been planted with oil palm

KUCHING: The involvement of a community leader in stealing fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) from oil palm plantations in Sg Asap has saddened Minister of Land Development Tan Sri Dr James Masing as it could deter potential investors to Sarawak.

“I am very disappointed to know that a ‘ketua masyarakat’ (community leader) is involved in stealing FFBs. I hope all the relevant authorities would throw the book on those involved otherwise investors will be discouraged to invest in
plantations in Sarawak,” Masing told The Borneo Post on the sidelines of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here yesterday.

He added that the police would deal with the individual concerned without fear or favour.
On a related issue, Masing revealed that as of June 30 this year, some 1.21 million hectares of land had been planted with oil palm, an increase of 18.6 per cent compared to a year ago, with about 80.2 per cent of the area developed by the private sector.

“This is in line with the government policy for the private sector to spearhead the development of the palm oil industry in the state,” Masing said in his winding-up speech at the DUN sitting yesterday.

He also reiterated that the industry was a private driven sector and as such the budget associated with plantation industry was not reflected in his ministry’s budget allocation.
“Nevertheless, my ministry is tasked to supervise the growth of the industry. The amount of fund involved in the plantation industry under my charge was clearly spelt out in my winding-up speech last year,” he said.

On NCR land, Masing revealed that as of June 30 this year, some 181,106 hectares had been planted with oil palm compared to 173,483 a year ago.
Thus, the current perimeter survey exercise undertaken by the state government would facilitate NCR land owners to develop their land free of encumbrances, he stressed.

Masing also disclosed that Salcra had a total planted area of 50,115 hectares under oil palm, out of which 1,074 hectares were due for replanting besides the new areas totalling 5,286 hectares which were in various stages of development.

“Despite the decline in the average price of crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel (PK) for the first nine months of this year, Salcra and oil palm estates registered operating surplus of RM3.6 million and RM115.74 respectively.
“Similarly, Salcra’s palm oil mills in Bau, Serian and Saratok also achieved good profits before tax. Milling efficiency, coupled with continuous prudent cost control accompanied by effective and good management, has enabled Salcra and its participating landowners to achieve these commendable results,” said Masing.
He also reported that Felda had planted some 60,000 hectares with oil palm in the state by end of 10th Malaysia Plan.

He said Felda was embarking on the development of NCR land with some 500 hectares for oil palm under Phase I at Pasai-Siong near Sibu.
Meanwhile, the senior minister expressed his worry that that some 80 per cent of 98,092 workers presently employed by oil palm plantations in the state were Indonesians.

“As the industry in Indonesia is expanding very rapidly, it has become increasingly more difficult to get additional workers from that country, thus the state government is considering other source countries for the recruitment of foreign workers to ease the shortage.”
However, he pointed out that it would be a short term solution.
“Therefore there is an urgent need to come up with long term measures to resolve the problem of shortage of workers,” he said.
To him, the best solution was for local people to be willing to work in oil palm plantations and acquire skills so that they could command better salaries. He also highlighted the urgent need for more research and development (R&D) to increase mechanisation in field operations.


Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/11/28/thieving-community-leader-disappoints-masing/#ixzz2DkkJwyIP