Business

Published: Monday November 23, 2009 MYT 2:51:00 PM

Call for better roads in plantation sector in E. Malaysia


KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Investors Association (MIA)has urged the government to look into the need to provide better roads in East Malaysia, particularly those leading to the plantations.

Its president, Datuk Dr P.H.S. Lim, said this would help boost productivity and enhance the plantation sector.

He said the investors had poured in RM10 billion over the past 10 years in the plantation sector in East Malaysia.

"Today, oil palm acreage in East Malaysia is bigger than Peninsular Malaysia's.

"The industry here has the potential to give a better yield. The climate is suitable for oil palm cultivation and other crops," he told Bernama.

Lim said agriculture was vital for East Malaysia as its population was too small to support big industries.

He said under Budget 2010, the federal government has allocated RM4.7 billion for the development and maintenance of roads and bridges

Lim said the roads and infrastructure in East Malaysia, however, were not satisfactory.

"During my recent visit, a 150km journey from Miri Airport to the plantation took more than four hours.

"The federal and state governments must provide better roads and bridges to oil palm plantations to ensure smooth transportation of oil palm fruits, workers and supplies," he said.

Lim said some of the roads were full of potholes.

"During the scorching season, it is extremely dusty with visibility less than three metres," he said. - Bernama

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