The Malaysian Insight

THE culture of “chasing projects”, as apparent in the previous Barisan Nasional regime, has no place in Parti Warisan Sabah, said Mohd Shafie Apdal.

The party president called on members to be job creators, not seekers.

“We want change. We don’t want the culture of Umno-BN, where party members chase projects and refuse to be enterprising, even though the previous administration had in place policies encouraging entrepreneurial development.

“This is worrying… as when it becomes a culture, it is easy for anyone to be involved in corruption,” he said in his winding-up speech at the Warisan delegates’ conference in Penampang today.

Shafie, who is also chief minister, said his administration has allocated RM20 million for entrepreneurial development and an additional RM5 million to boost youth’s participation in hillside padi planting, apart from other agricultural activities.

He said the state government is prepared to provide land to youth to start ventures, and they can apply for state or federal funds.

“I want Sabahan youth to use all the resources available to them, to get involved in business. Not find jobs, but become job creators.”

Shafie said youth can learn from state agriculture entrepreneur mentor Yap Yun Fook, who is visiting Sabah districts to promote agriculture activities.

He said Yap, who started off with only two cattle that he sought from the Veterinary Services Department, is now among Asia’s most prominent agriculture entrepreneurs.

Yap rears more than 5,000 cattle and produces dairy and livestock products, as well as plants pineapple and pomelo crops.

A recent project of his is the commercial breeding of Tor tambroides, or empurau, which is reportedly the most expensive edible fish in the country, fetching up to RM1,800 per kg. – May 5, 2019.