K'gau tapioca flour maker also hit by pollution
Published on: Friday, August 28, 2015
Keningau: The soon-to-be-treated water supply for the tapioca flour plant, owned by Koperasi Sabah Kita, is being counted on to turn around the fortunes of the beleaguered factory.Its General Manager Paul Wong said currently, the plant could not produce flour that meets the market standard and the co-operative failed to sell their products.The plant's water supply was previously contaminated by oil palm residue that seeped into the pond during flood. The incident caused the water in the pond to turn black and smelly.
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Two days ago, officers from the Environment Department did a survey on the polluted river which supplies water to the plant's pond."Because of this problem, we could not produce products that meet export grade. Of course, we will soon be changing our machine to treat our water so our flour will meet the required standard," he said.Wong said although the factory has a joint-venture with SFI, the products failed to receive SFI approval as well."According to SFI, the products did not meet their standard. They are yellowish and cannot be used. If they still use them, the paper produced will not meet the company's high standard," he said.
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The factory was reopened by the co-operative with the collaboration of KPD after it was abandoned for more than a decade. With the reopening of the factory, the villagers in and around the area are encouraged to plant and send their tapioca to the factory to meet the factory's demands.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Five acres of land planted with tapioca could easily bring in between RM3,000 and RM5,000 to the owner.
