
LPNM: Sarawak ranks second nationally in pineapple cultivation
KOTA SAMARAHAN (July 24): Sarawak has emerged as the second-largest pineapple-growing state in Malaysia, with a total cultivated area of 2,199.43 hectares as of 2024, according to the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM).
LPNM director-general Mohd Khairuzamri M Saleh revealed the data during the official launch of the 'Program Hari Bertemu Pelanggan & Penyampaian Bantuan Insentif Projek LPNM Negeri Sarawak Tahun 2025' at the Sarawak State Farmers' Organisation hall here today.
'Sarawak has now emerged as one of the most progressive states in the development of the national pineapple industry. Based on 2024 data, the Land of the Hornbills ranks second after Johor in terms of pineapple cultivation area nationwide, with a total of 2,199.43 hectares.
'This shows that the target of 20,000 hectares of pineapple cultivation by 2030 is not just a vision, but a movement that is now beginning to bear fruit,' he said.
Mohd Khairuzamri said that LPNM remains committed to supporting pineapple growers in the state through a comprehensive assistance package.
'Starting with the provision of planting materials such as MD2, Moris, and SG1, quality agricultural inputs, farm infrastructure, as well as technical services and monitoring, all these are offered as a comprehensive package to support our farmers in Sarawak in achieving a more stable income—reaching RM8,000 per month by 2025—in line with the Sarawak Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030),' he added.
More than 200 participants from various backgrounds, including government agency representatives, pineapple entrepreneurs and interested growers, attended the event.
'This Customer Engagement Day is a strategic initiative to strengthen relationships and cooperation among various stakeholders in the pineapple industry — from farm operators, researchers, producers, and processors to exporters — with LPNM as the agency fully responsible for safeguarding the interests of the national pineapple industry.
'More than 200 individuals from diverse backgrounds are present today. This includes representatives from government agencies, pineapple entrepreneurs, and participants interested in tropical fruit cultivation.
'This is clear evidence that Malaysia's pineapple industry is gaining attention and recognition here in Sarawak,' said Mohd Khairuzamri.
He added that the programme serves as a platform for exchanging knowledge, ideas, and solutions to current challenges such as food security, market competitiveness, climate change, and technological hurdles.
'Today, LPNM clients have the opportunity to engage directly with our officers, including those from our headquarters as well as the Sarawak state team,' he added.
The event also featured the official launch of the e-Pineapple System by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development (M-Ficord) Datu Sirai Daha, who represented Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.
'The strong support from the Sarawak government is greatly appreciated and acts as a catalyst for us to advance the industry further,' said Mohd Khairuzamri.
Throughout the day, several activities were held, including a stakeholder engagement session between LPNM and pineapple entrepreneurs, and an exhibition involving various agencies and companies such as Agrobank, Kolej ICATS, ACM Sdn Bhd, Queen Pineapple, Evergreen, and award-winning young entrepreneur Mohd Nasry Mohd Nasir, recipient of the Pro Tani Young Entrepreneur Award during the recent National Pineapple Day celebration.
Mohd Khairuzamri expressed appreciation to the Sarawak government and all attendees for their support.
'Thank you for being part of this event. Stay with LPNM as we work together to build a brighter future for the pineapple industry in Sarawak,' he said.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Express
6 hours ago
- Daily Express
All set for Friendship Run
Published on: Saturday, July 26, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 26, 2025 Text Size: Steven Liaw (right) with Willie Tan during reporting on the success of the previous year's Malaysia-China Friendship Run last December. Kota Kinabalu: More than 5,500 participants are expected to take part in the JOM! Malaysia-China Friendship Run 2025, which will flag off at Padang Merdeka here at 6.30am this Sunday (July 27). The annual event is organised by the Malaysia-China Friendship Association Sabah. Its President Dr Oh Ei Sun encouraged the public to arrive early as guests of honour are expected from 6am onwards, followed by a short warm-up session. The flag-off will take place at 6.30am and participants who complete the run by 8.30am can look forward to an exciting lucky draw session. This year, both the starting and finishing points will be at Padang Merdeka. The route takes runners along scenic Likas Bay, with a turning point at the Bay 21 roundabout. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor is expected to be the guest of honour. Other dignitaries expected to attend include Federal Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew, Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Sabah Deputy Speaker Datuk Richard Yong and Assistant Finance Minister Datuk Tan Lee Fatt. Also joining the flag-off will be the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, Zhu Xinglong. Dr Oh extended his heartfelt appreciation to the Sabah Government, the Federal Youth and Sports Ministry, the Consulate General of China in Kota Kinabalu, the Sabah Sports Board, various ministers and numerous sponsors for their generous support. He especially thanked Platinum sponsor Skechers; Gold sponsor Borneo Timber Sdn Bhd; and Silver sponsors including Azam Jaya Berhad, Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel, Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Monokolo Boutique Hotel, MP Machinery (M) Sdn Bhd, Deevin Development Sdn Bhd, Crest Megaway Sdn Bhd, Hokkien Association Kota Kinabalu and WSG Properties Sdn Bhd. Bronze sponsors include Berjaya Corporation Berhad, PowerChina, SinaLand, Sense Vacation Sdn Bhd, Teck Guan Holding Sdn Bhd, TCT Trading Sdn Bhd, Kilang Papan Hiong Tiong Sdn Bhd, Bubblegarm Holdings, TSN Enterprise Sdn Bhd, EConMech Sdn Bhd, Universal Chery, Kota Kinabalu Foochow Association, Cahaya Metro Sdn Bhd, and Syarikat Lui Kim Chock Sdn Bhd. Support also came from the Desa Group of Companies, Moma Drinking Water, Life Water Marketing Sdn Bhd (Tritonic Drinks), Regal Marketing & Trading Sdn Bhd (Indocafe) and B Project Academy Holding Sdn Bhd (Beverages). Due to the overwhelming response, Skechers has announced an additional sponsorship of 500 mystery gift boxes valued between RM100 and RM200 each, raising the total prize value to over RM100,000. The first 500 finishers will each be entitled to a mystery box draw. Including staff apparel and other sponsorship items, Skechers' total contribution now exceeds RM300,000. This year also coincides with the 60th anniversary of Hong Kong-based Luen Thai Group. Its Vice Chairman and CEO Willie Tan voiced strong support and reaffirmed the group's continued commitment to fostering Malaysia-China people-to-people exchanges. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Powering progress: Digital finance is redefining car ownership in Malaysia
In Malaysia, car ownership is more than a milestone, it is a necessity. From school runs to side hustles, the car remains a vital utility, especially in areas underserved by public transport. But even as the need endures, the ability to own is becoming harder to grasp, it continues to be a big financial decision, compounded by rising living costs, subsidy reforms, and tightening credit conditions, have placed affordability under increasing pressure. Yet just as policy challenges mount, so too does innovation. Digital banks and fintech players are reimagining how Malaysians access financing. No longer tethered to branch offices, limited by payslips or traditional credit scores, a new wave of mobility financing is emerging – one that lowers barriers, expands access, creates a frictionless experience, and brings a broader spectrum of Malaysians into the driver's seat. The credit divide: Who gets left behind Traditional vehicle loans in Malaysia remain the standard route to ownership. Offered by banks and financial institutions, these loans typically stretch up to nine years, covering up to 90% of the car's price. Lenders structure repayment to keep upfront costs low, making car ownership more accessible for middle-income earners. But access is uneven. Eligibility often depends on fixed employment, duration of service (often a minimum of three to six months), minimum income thresholds, and formal documentation. Broadly speaking, a standard debt-servicing ratio of 60% applies, meaning your total monthly repayments, including the car loan, cannot exceed 60% of your income. Additionally, requirements can vary depending on a multitude of factors, including whether applicants work in the public or private sector, where private-sector borrowers need to earn at least RM3,000 monthly. For salaried professionals with stable income, this system works. But for Malaysia's growing base of gig workers, micro-entrepreneurs, and informal sector earners, the door is often closed. No payslip, no access. Imagine needing a car to get to a new job but not having the payslip or documentation to get a loan to finance the purchase, many find themselves in such a difficult situation. Fintech steps in: Rethinking creditworthiness Much like other sectors it has disrupted, technology is reshaping finance and digital banks are at the centre of this shift, playing a transformative role in democratising access to financial services by lowering traditional entry barriers for communities previously underserved by brick-and-mortar banks. A large proportion of Malaysian adults are still outside the system, with about 15% having no bank account and around 40% considered underbanked, i.e. may have bank accounts but lack access to credit, insurance, or other essential financial tools. Digital banks are stepping in to close this gap by offering app-based services with fewer requirements, faster onboarding, and less physical documentation. For someone who has never had a formal bank loan, being able to apply for credit using just their smartphone is not only empowering, it can be life changing. Digital banks are redefining creditworthiness, with shifts from traditional indicators to behavioural data beginning to emerge. Across the globe, behavioural data like e-wallet activity, phone top-ups, and payment histories, are becoming credible proxies for creditworthiness. Even in the US, Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL) usage can now be factored into FICO credit scores, similar to CTOS in Malaysia, signalling a shift away from legacy models toward more dynamic assessments, opening up a host of new approaches and possibilities, better reflecting the dynamic lives we lead, and the technological advancements made. In Malaysia, BNPL has had a compounded annual growth rate of 24% from 2021 to 2024, with no signs of slowing down, whilst full of potential, is fraught, too, with risks if not supported by a robust regulatory framework. For someone like a freelance graphic designer or a food delivery rider, consistent GrabPay or DuitNow activity could one day become a proxy for credit reliability and worthiness. Used responsibly, users build credibility step-by-step through microloans and short-term financial products, instead of waiting years to accumulate formal credit history. These early financial footprints open the door to bigger-ticket financing, including vehicle loans. Regulatory support has been pivotal. Fortunately, Bank Negara has been at the forefront with recognition of the transformative power and potential fintech has, has issued digital banking licenses and catalysed the sector, whilst cautiously protected us with the proposed Consumer Credit Act to foster transparency and enact consumer protections. Players like GXBank, AEON Bank, and Boost Bank are not just digitising banking – they're localising it for underserved communities. As the world of tech continues to permeate our lives, the tech we use to fund it is becoming the norm, and tools of creditworthiness must keep pace to accurately assess, not to restrict. Personal loans and lifecycle financing Beyond vehicle purchases, fintech is expanding credit across the entire ownership journey. Platforms like Touch 'n Go and Direct Lending offer solutions like personal loans for everything from down payments to car repairs and used vehicle purchases, at consumer fingertips. These tools open the doors to new users, providing the promise of mobility for all, supporting every stage of the journey, from purchase to maintenance, insurance to urgent repairs. TNG CashLoan, for example, provides loans ranging from RM100 to RM150,000, with income requirements as low as RM1,400 and approvals in under 24 hours. Direct Lending supports borrowers with monthly incomes as low as RM1,200 (in East Malaysia), offering syariah-compliant options, takaful instalments, and car service financing, in as little as two working days. These offerings are particularly vital for lower-income groups and first-time buyers, who may be stretched, and a large outlay can be beyond their means. More importantly, they enable continuity of ownership, because the financial pain points often come after the car is bought – repairs, renewals, servicing, insurance – and traditional financing rarely covers these. Fintech platforms are now stepping into those cracks. Some are even bundling services like predictive maintenance alerts, resale value tracking, and vehicle buyback programmes – adding value beyond the loan. Insurance gets smart: Telematics and behaviour-based pricing Insurance, long a cost burden for many, is also being redefined. With connected vehicles and telematics becoming more common, usage-based insurance is gaining traction. Instead of paying a flat premium, drivers now have access to 'pay-as-you-drive' models, where premiums are adjusted based on actual mileage and driving behaviour. Companies like AXA and Grab in Singapore have trialled devices that monitor braking, acceleration, and distance driven – offering lower rates for safer, low-mileage drivers. For cautious drivers or those who drive infrequently, this model feels fairer. For insurers, it improves risk prediction and lowers exposure. And for the financially stretched, it can be the difference between staying covered and going without. With telematics, dashcams, and increasingly as software-defined tech-forward vehicles become the mainstay, insurers can increasingly trust and be confident in consumers' behaviour, reducing informational asymmetry. When bundled into digital finance ecosystems, this kind of insurance integration helps cement long-term vehicle access. It turns risk management into a seamless part of the ownership experience. Mobility isn't just about cars – it's about opportunity. And in today's landscape, access to finance is access to opportunity. As Malaysia rationalises subsidies and rethinks its mobility incentives, digital banks and fintech's data and tech-driven financial instruments have the potential to soften shocks, close credit gaps, and unlock access, including to car ownership, for thousands previously excluded. The financial rails behind our mobility are being rebuilt. And in that rebuild lies a bigger truth: affordability is not just about price tags, but about systems. The future of mobility in Malaysia depends not just on the vehicles we drive, but on the ecosystems that enable us to own, run, and safeguard them. Because in the end, progress isn't powered by engines alone – it's powered by access. The views expressed here are the writer's own.


Borneo Post
7 hours ago
- Borneo Post
RM100 aid meaningful for vulnerable groups, says PBB man
Ariffin Mohamad MIRI (July 26): The RM100 Sara cash aid may seem modest, but it can make a meaningful difference for Malaysia's most vulnerable groups, said Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Piasau branch chairman Ariffin Mohamad. While some critics have dismissed the federal government's RM100 one-off assistance as inadequate, Ariffin, who is also Deputy Miri Mayor, argued that 'every ringgit counts' for families struggling with the rising cost of living. 'I believe that with any one-off assistance like this, we simply cannot please everyone. RM100 may seem like nothing to some, but for others, especially those struggling to make ends meet, such as senior citizens, single mothers, daily wage earners, or those who've lost their jobs, it can go a long way in easing their burden,' he said. Ariffin also praised the direct crediting of the aid via MyKad, calling it an efficient and inclusive approach. 'I view this as a short-term relief measure by the Federal Government to inject immediate assistance to the people. 'The decision to credit the aid directly through MyKad without requiring applications is a practical and efficient way to ensure wide and fast distribution, especially to those in rural areas or without digital access,' he added. However, he stressed the need for clear public communication to ensure all eligible recipients understand how to use the aid and are aware of the usage deadline. The RM100 initiative is part of the Madani Government's broader cost-of-living relief package, which also includes fuel price reductions and a freeze on toll rate hikes. Still, some rural representatives in Sarawak have urged Putrajaya to tailor such rollouts to local contexts, noting that the needs and challenges in Sarawak differ from those in Peninsular Malaysia. While acknowledging the value of short-term aid, Ariffin emphasised the importance of long-term planning tailored to Sarawak's unique development needs. 'As at the state level, I believe GPS has always stayed true to its struggle — to protect Sarawak's rights, to fight for greater autonomy, and to ensure that Sarawakians are not left behind in national policies,' he said. He highlighted Gabungan Parti Sarawak's (GPS) focus on sustainable growth through initiatives such as the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030), rural infrastructure development, improved internet access via the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy, and state-led enterprises like Petros and the Sarawak Sovereign Wealth Future Fund. 'Over the years, GPS has focused on strengthening Sarawak's economy through these various initiatives to ensure Sarawak's wealth is managed for long-term benefit,' he said. Looking ahead, he stressed the need to strike a balance between immediate support and sustainable policy reforms. 'That is why for me, beyond short-term aid like this, what truly matters is continuing to push for policies that are fair to and reflect the real needs of our people — not just for today, but for generations to come,' said Ariffin. Ariffin Mohamad lead SARA vulnerable groups