NABAWAN: The State Land Development Board (LKTNS) distributed nearly RM1 million in dividends to 175 participants of the Nabawan West Zone Plantation Scheme for the 2025 financial year, involving 441 hectares of oil palm cultivation.
The dividend presentation ceremony was officiated by LKTNS Chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Yassin at the Board’s Collection Centre, here, on Monday.
Speaking after the event, Ghani said the dividend payout this year was significantly higher than last year, reflecting improved performance and helping to boost the socio-economic wellbeing of the participants.
“In 2024, the total dividend was only RM370,000. This means the income for participants here almost tripled this year,” he said.
Ghani, also Nabawan Assemblyman, attributed the strong performance to efficient management, close cooperation between LKTNS and the local community, strict supervision and strong harvest and sales of fresh fruit bunches.
Meanwhile, scheme participant Toha Talakos Likatan expressed gratitude to LKTNS, saying the dividend distribution would help ease the cost of living and serve as motivation for participants to manage their farms more productively.
Another participant, Baalon Agoon, also thanked the LKTNS management for its efficiency, which he said had brought tangible benefits to the participants.
In a separate development, Ghani said LKTNS will collaborate with Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) to turn Nabawan District into a research and development centre for freshwater lobster farming.
He said the initiative is in line with efforts to develop the aquaculture sector and strengthen the local economy, as well as with the focus of the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia), which has designated Nabawan and Tongod as food security areas.
The project is expected to create job opportunities and benefit the local community, particularly farmers and young entrepreneurs interested in aquaculture.
Ghani added that the centre will also serve as a training and research platform for local students and researchers in freshwater lobster farming.
“With this research centre, we can not only increase freshwater seafood production, but also strengthen the economic base of the Nabawan community,” he said.
The collaboration will be implemented in stages, with LKTNS acting as the main coordinator, while UiTM provides academic expertise and technical support for farming systems and innovative research.
Also present were LKTNS General Manager Syaheddrul R. Joddari, Nabawan District Officer Marshal Anthony, senior SLDB managers, department heads and community leaders.
