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Kota Kinabalu: The government targets to increase pineapple exports to 4,000 containers this year from 3,789 containers in 2025 in effort to boost exports. 

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Chan Foong Hin said the agrofood and food and beverage industries constitute 11.4 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) of Malaysia, amounting to RM1.28 trillion. 

“Of the RM113.7 billion trade recorded, exports only make up RM43.6 billion, while RM70.1 billion are imports. 

“Nevertheless, we noticed that the trade imbalance is declining since October 2015,” he said.

In effort to address trade deficit, Chan said the ministry is looking into increasing the export of pineapples, with a target to boost the export of pineapples from 3,789 containers last year to 4,000 containers this year. 

He said a campaign to encourage the consumption of local fruits during the Chinese New Year will also be rolled out, as well as engagement with local farmers to introduce festive packaging for their fruit products. 

He said this at the Sze Yi Association West Coast, Sabah Chinese New Year luncheon and presentation of ang pows to elderly members here. 

Present at the event were life honorary presidents Datin Seri Chen Si Mui, Datuk Henry Kong and Datuk Wong Yit Ming, President Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen and Datuk Wong Ten An. 

Meanwhile, Chan said the ministry will propose to the federal cabinet to expand the purview of Malaysia Pineapple Industry Board to include durians and coconuts as a way to increase exports from our country. 

On the other hand, he said the fisheries sector contributed RM9.18 billion to Malaysia’s GDP. 

“About RM6 billion of the RM9.18 billion is from capture and RM3 billion from aquaculture. 

“We are targeting to increase the ratio from aquaculture, including fish, shrimp and other seafood, to 40 per cent by 2030. 

“This is to reduce the dependency on wild fish catch and protect our marine resources,” he said.

Chan added that he is focused on increasing the production of pork in Malaysia. 

He said the pig farmers have been plagued by the African SwineFever for the past few years, which reduced the self-sufficiency level of pork from 93 per cent to 60 per cent in the country. 

“We want to restore the pork self-sufficiency to 90 per cent,” he said.

Meanwhile, Susan said a total of 279 senior members have applied for Chinese New Year ang pows, 161 of whom attended the luncheon on Friday.

The recipients consisted 110 septuagenarians, who received RM100 ang pow each, 42 octogenarians with RM200 ang pow each, and seven nonagenarians, who were presented with RM500 ang pow each. 

The association also presented RM1,000 ang pow to two members aged above 95 years old, including Datin Seri Chen Si Mui, 96.

“We are giving away RM41,750 worth of ang pows this year.”

Susan said the Sze Yi Association West Coast, Sabah was fortunate to have past and present committee and members who have dedicated themselves to serving the association, and to establish a steady source of income to fund the association’s activities and welfare initiatives. 

Besides its secretariat in Bundusan, she said the association owns Wisma Sze Yap in the central business district (CBD), which is currently leased to Stanton Gaya Hotel. 

“The hotel is one of the most popular hotels in Kota Kinabalu with consistently full occupancy, which in turn, provides us with steady revenue every year.”

On another note, Susan announced that the United Sabah Sze Yip Association will be holding its Chinese New Year celebration in Lahad Datu on March 7, hosted by Lahad Datu Sze Yip Association. 

“The Sze Yi Association West Coast, Sabah had played host to the Chinese New Year celebration last year on February 15. 

“It was a grand affair that gathered Sze Yip folks from all over Sabah where they participated in games and activities to reinforce the bonds between members,” she said.

Susan also urged members to join the Chinese New Year Dragons, Unicorns and Lions Dance Festival and Cultural Village Exhibition to be held at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on January 25, starting 9am. 

The event, organized by the United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK), also includes children’s colouring contest and Chinese calligraphy activity. 

“I urge all members to participate in the activity to show our love for Chinese traditional cultures. 

“Bring along your family, friends and even colleagues so that more will have the opportunity learn and experience the joy of Chinese New Year celebration.”