MALFUNCTION FISHERY COMPLEX

THE Sabah DAP team visited the Sabah Fishery Department’s research complex which is situated on the Sungai Mengkabong, where the long Sulaman Bridge is crossing the estuary. The fishery complex here had been set up a long time ago for the purpose of research into the fish production.

The DAP team is led by the Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament Hiew King Cheu comprising of Edward Ewol Mujie, Peter Liew Fui Ken and other DAP members. They were being informed by concern people that the research complex looks like having not much activity and seems idling.

They said that this place is used to be a popular place for the tourist and people, and even the diplomats who like to see and learn about our fishery research work into producing quality fishes and clamp / shell and in multiplying the production. It is a good place for a week end trip too.

Very unfortunately, the things here did not go well under the management of the state government. It has become a slump place without activities and most of the facilities here have run down and lack of maintenance work. There are 6 people who work here with a station manager in charge. The huge population of the various types of fish, big and small kept in the floating cages can not be seen anymore.

KK MP Hiew said it is sad to see this place which was once prosperous and creating much good for the state is now fallen to a bad stage of condition and also eating up much government funding.

The non-productiveness of this establishment is causing a great amount of money, and by right this could be a very productive set up. The remaining fishes in the cage are continually spending our tax-payer’s money, because these fishes had to be fed daily. What is the return and gain from carrying out this job, and will the people benefit from this place? 

 

Here used to be research work done on the cramp shell (Kubang) production. What happens now, and why some private rearing fish farms can produce more, and the government station can’t even have the cramp shell seeds now? The DAP visitors were told that the 5 new floating cages costing a sum well over RM100,000 were installed recently. The point is, will these cages produce the required results, and any value worth of the high price?

MP Hiew said this place must be revived and revamped to serve its original purpose to up bring the fishery industry and to provide the fishery industry a full backup service in term of new technology and latest raring technique, to develop advance species, to find cheaper fish meals/feed, to provide fishery studies, to check on pesticides and diseases affecting the fishery industry.

There is also tourism opportunity and sizeable income for the kampong folks here in Kg Teraiyung which is very near to Rasa Ria Resort Hotel where plenty of tourists are having a holiday here. This will be a good place to show them our rich and beautiful fishery products. A small seafood restaurant can also be set up for the testing of the various type of tasty seafood too. 

The Minister concern who is in charge of this, should immediate come to see for himself and to start on the work to get this place back on its feet. The Ministry cannot just leave the place to rot. (DAP Media)