Source: Free Malaysia Today
Felda’s move into ‘human capital development’ in Sabah will involve the maritime and hospitality sectors.
Lahad Datu: Felda, the state-owned agriculture-based enterprise, is set to diversify into deepsea fishing and play a big role in the maritime industry.
The Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) said it planned to go into deep sea tuna fishing in Sabah and look beyond its core business of oil palm, in order to provide more economic opportunities for the children of Felda settlers.
“We want to tap the huge potential that Sabah seas have to offer, in particular, for the new generation.
“Felda has an agreement with Pembangunan Samudera (Sabah) Sdn Bhd (PSSSB), a Sabah-based private sector corporation, for the deepsea tuna venture, and it is about time to put into effect our plans to create further economic growth in the area,†said Felda director-general, Dzulkifli Abdul Wahab.
He was speaking at the inaugural graduation ceremony of Felda settler children of BEST International College at Kolej Integrasi Ilmu, Felda Sahabat on Sunday.
He said the new generation (children of early settlers) should benefit from other economic opportunities, apart from oil palm, so that they too can have a better future like their parents.
Dzulkifli said Felda’s foray into “human capital development in Sabah†would come through the maritime and hospitality sectors by training settlers’ children in new areas of economic opportunities.
“The waters off Lahad Datu for example are teeming with rich marine resources and it is only right to train our youths in the maritime sector as we need skilled workers to make our maritime ventures a success.â€
“Similarly, the tourism industry in Sabah is booming and this sector needs more and more well-trained workers,†he added.
Dzulkifli said Felda would also be involved in a seaweed cultivation project in Semporna as part of a poverty eradication program with the hardcore poor there.
He said the project would take off once various matters, including land ownership, is finalized.
Commenting on the new graduates, Dzulkifli said Felda would consider providing scholarships to those who excel to further their studies overseas.
He said Felda has an annual allocation of RM50 million for education and skills development nationwide and each year there are some 5,000 high school from all Felda schemes.
Meanwhile, PSSSB Chief Executive Officer, Kamarul Baharin Osman, said the company would be able to start the tuna venture within six months of getting the go-ahead from Felda.
“The facilities that are required to process and store the marine resources that we catch, apart from tuna, are all available and can be put up and be running within six months,†he assured.