KOTA KINABALU: A new policy by the Sabah government will allow reserve grazing lands to be used for agricultural activities.
However, it is subject to the land trust holders' approval, said Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
“This is an opportunity to transform ‘lazy assets’ into economic resources,” Kitingan said during the joint venture agreement signing between the Reserve Grazing Trustees, Tambunan People’s Economic Development Cooperative Berhad (Kopper), the Assistant Land Revenue Collector, and the Malaysian Kuwaiti Investment Co. (MKIC) on Monday (Sept 23).
The agreement will see the development of coconut plantations on reserve grazing lands in five villages in Tambunan: Kampung Tondulu, Kampung Papar, Kampung Noudu, Kampung Toboh, and Kampung Kuala Namadan.
“Tambunan has 23,490.56 acres of reserve grazing land, much of which has been left idle due to the decline in livestock such as buffalo and cattle, local sensitivities around grazing land use, and strict regulations on reserve land utilisation,” Kitingan said.
As the assemblyman for Tambunan, Kitingan noted these five villages have taken the initiative to draft development plans for their grazing lands.
“With support and collaboration from various stakeholders, they have undergone several processes to ensure that coconut plantations can be successfully established in their village grazing areas.
“I am impressed by the unity shown by these communities and hope other villages in Tambunan will follow their lead in revitalising unused grazing lands,” he added.
Kitingan also welcomed the involvement of investors like MKIC, who are willing to explore the potential for agricultural development on reserve lands.
“Utilising these idle grazing lands will benefit the local community by creating job opportunities, providing monthly incomes, sharing dividends, and fostering the exchange of expertise and experience.
“We believe this successful initiative will serve as a model for other districts,” he said.
Also present at the event was Kota Kinabalu Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah, whom Kitingan described as the key man to initiate collaboration between MKIC and the Tambunan officials.
Kitingan said Sabin was the chairman of MKIC when they met, and seemed interested in the coconut planting proposal. The rest, he added, is history.
