| Hakim Hayat |
A LEGISLATIVE Council (LegCo) member representing the Temburong District yesterday urged more government intervention to assist the district’s locals and cooperatives by strengthening fisheries, agriculture and eco-tourism industry to help boost their socio-economic position.
YB Haji Emran bin Haji Sabtu, who is also the Penghulu of Mukim Bokok, Temburong, in his query on the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT)’s budget during the ongoing LegCo session yesterday, first raised the issue of aquaculture farming of tiger prawns in Temburong. He said there has been an increase in demand for the food product lately but due to the lack of resources, the demand cannot be met, resulting in high prices.
Speaking on Temburong District’s renowned tiger prawn farming industry, the LegCo member added that locals who are already in the tiger prawn breeding business and others interested, must be given training on the most suitable and sustainable farming methods to make sure that the district’s potential in the industry is fully unleashed.
YB Haji Emran citing an example of a once blooming tiger prawn farm in Kampong Selangan, Temburong, said this should be looked into and rejuvenated to contribute to the supply of tiger prawns in the country.
Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism YB Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong in his response said the ministry welcomes any parties interested in developing systematic tiger prawn breeding in the country and shared that a Brunei-Singapore joint venture on tiger prawn vertical farming will soon be realised in Sungai Jambu in the Brunei-Muara District. He said this will help alleviate the shortage of tiger prawns.
He stressed that MPRT was not preventing any party, be it in the Temburong District, from developing tiger prawn farming and to actively learn on its techniques. “We welcome them and if there is a need, they can register with us and we can accommodate for training session and trips to thriving tiger prawn farms in the country,” added the minister.
On the thriving eco-tourism industry in Temburong, which has seen a number of places mushrooming to accommodate tourists, YB Haji Emran urged the MPRT to actively involve the Temburong’s Tourism Cooperatives in looking at ways to collaborate and bring in and identify new tourism products from the district. He also said more media promotion is needed to expose the places, especially through programmes that involve the mukim and village cooperatives.
The Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism said ongoing initiatives are encouraging local entrepreneurs to take part in the tourism industry, including the Temburong District.
“We are impressed with the involvement of our people, especially the youths in even the remote areas of Temburong District for their involvement in offering services such as transport and extreme sports activities for tourists visiting their areas. There are even more locals who are providing transportation services from the capital to Temburong District and we encourage more participation of our youths in this industry,” he said.
YB Haji Emran bin Haji Sabtu, Penghulu of Mukim Bokok. – AZROL AZMI
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