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English to Malay: EAST COAST ECONOMIC REGION DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (ECERDC) ANNUAL REPORT 2009 General field: Other Detailed field: Government / Politics
Source text - English EAST COAST ECONOMIC REGION DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (ECERDC) ANNUAL REPORT 2009.
Downloadable in PDF version at http://www.ecerdc.com.my/ecerdc/download.htm
Translation - Malay LAPORAN TAHUNAN MAJLIS PEMBANGUNAN WILAYAH EKONOMI PANTAI TIMUR (ECERDC) 2009.
Boleh dimuat turun dalam versi PDF di http://www.ecerdc.com.my/ecerdc/download.htm
English to Malay: MEDIA RELEASE: "EAST COAST ECONOMIC REGION ATTRACTS RM36.5 BILLION IN INVESTMENTS" (DECEMBER 16, 2010) General field: Bus/Financial Detailed field: Business/Commerce (general)
Source text - English ECER ATTRACTS RM36.5 BILLION IN INVESTMENTS
Kuala Lumpur, Dec 16: The East Coast Economic Region (ECER) has attracted RM36.5 billion worth of investments since its inception in 2007 until November 2010 from both domestic and overseas, says the Prime Minister YAB Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak.
Of the amount, RM15.3 billion worth of investments have already been received, he said. The received investments consist of 158 projects that have created a total of 17,500 new job opportunities for the ECER populace during the period.
The investors include Eco Tower Sdn Bhd from Singapore and Oilfields Supply Centre Ltd from United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as local companies such as Sentoria Themeparks and Resorts Sdn Bhd and Hi Essence Sdn Bhd, among others.
"All these encouraging figures reflect investors' trust and confidence in ECER as a distinctive, dynamic and competitive investment destination," the Prime Minister said after chairing the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) 3rd Council Meeting for 2010 here today.
"I am pleased to announce that the Region is now ready to welcome the arrival of more investors, both from Malaysia and abroad. Most of the basic infrastructure in ECER are already in place and the Region also offers them a very competitive package of both fiscal and non-fiscal incentives," he added.
Dato' Sri Mohd Najib said he is very pleased with the focused investment promotion efforts undertaken by ECERDC this year, which is part of the Council's strategic direction for 2010.
He is also happy with the progress shown by ECER in terms of project implementation, which takes into account the overall value chain and supply chain integration, and is aimed at accelerating the economic growth in the region.
The development in ECER is progressing well on track, with all the projects approved by the Government for the Region under the 9th Malaysia Plan (9MP) are currently in various stages of implementation.
SINAR ECER undertakes an integrated approach in its design, whereby the activities involve personal development, academic achievement and finally team participation in competitive games.
The projects, which have a total value of RM1.4 billion, cover the key economic clusters of tourism, oil, gas & petrochemical, manufacturing, agriculture and education. Their implementation status range from the Business Strategy and Implementation Plan (BSIP) studies to design and physical works.
"All the projects implemented in ECER are in line with the New Economic Model (NEM) and they include Entry Point Projects (EPP) where the emphasis is on private investment-led projects, and will contribute significantly to the Gross National Income (GNI)," said Chief Executive Officer of ECERDC, YBhg. Dato' Jebasingam Issace John.
"Projects such as Pekan Agropolitan, South Kelantan Agropolitan and Besut-Setiu Agropolitan will also help boost the earnings of the low-income and hardcore poor group and ultimately, reduce poverty level in the Region," he added.
"The transformation of ECER is currently in motion and we are confident that its vision to become a developed region by 2020 is well within reach," Dato' Issace noted.
Among the key highlights recorded by ECER to date are as listed below:
ECER SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE (ECER SEZ)
The ECER Special Economic Zone (ECER SEZ) is a concentration of high-impact projects within an integrated development zone located at the nucleus of ECER, starting from Kertih in Terengganu to Pekan in Pahang.
Under 9MP, 24 projects have been approved in ECER SEZ including Kertih Polymer Park (KPP), Pekan Automotive Industrial Park (Pekan AIP), Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC), Kuantan Port City, Agropolitan Pekan, Gambang Halal Park and Pekan Heritage Tourism, among others.
The land and infrastructure development works for Phase 1A and 1B of KPP have already been completed, while infrastructure works for Phase 1C is expected to be ready by February 2013. Design works for Phase 2 of KPP are expected to be completed by this month.
For Pekan AIP, the construction of the Park’s Central Marketing Complex (CMC), as well as the infrastructure and landscape upgrading works are currently ongoing. The infrastructure works have also commenced for Phase 2 of Pekan AIP since October 2010.
ECERDC has completed the business and strategic plan for POIC in August 2010 and the Council has appointed the contractor for the project’s earthworks and infrastructure works in September this year. The project study for Kemaman Heavy Industry Park has also been completed in November.
The earthworks and infrastructure works for Gambang Halal Park and Pasir Mas Halal Park have also commenced this November, marking yet another key development in ECER, as well as Malaysia’s halal industry in general.
Infrastructure works are also ongoing in Tanjung Agas Oil & Gas and Logistics Industrial Park, Pahang and design works are currently being undertaken for the construction of a dedicated road and bridge, as well as a water treatment plant in Ganchong to meet future requirements of the Park. The Park recently witnessed the official ground breaking for the development of a common user supply base in the area, which is jointly undertaken by Tanjong Agas Supply Base & Marine Services Sdn Bhd and Dubai-based Oilfields Supply Centre Ltd.
ECER SEZ-KUANTAN CONURBATION
In line with the Government’s concentrated decentralisation development strategy, there will be continuous emphasis on ECER SEZ in terms of project implementation under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP). To further spur the growth-generating role of the ECER SEZ, due recognition will be given to the Kuantan Conurbation under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) which has been proposed as one of the Growth Conurbations in Peninsular Malaysia under the National Physical Plan 2 (NPP2).
The town of Bentong, Pahang has been identified to have the potential to become the preferred satellite industrial park to Greater KL.
”Greater KL could leverage on the existing Bentong residential and industrial cluster which is only 45 km away from KL City Centre. The Bentong-Greater KL linkages can be further enhanced by the present education cluster which includes the International Islamic University of Malaysia and Aminuddin Baki Institute, among others, as well as the entertainment/recreation cluster in Genting Highlands and Bukit Tinggi,” Dato’ Issace said.
Recognising this potential, ECERDC has already introduced the empower Bentong initiative in July, which is aimed at developing the human capital within the area to support these initiatives.
KUANTAN PORT CITY DEVELOPMENT
One of the key projects in ECER SEZ is the development of Kuantan Port City (KPC) which will become a major eastern port and key gateway for Asia Pacific trade.
The Integrated Master Plan for KPC has already been finalised and handed over to Kuantan Municipal Council in February 2010. Improvements in roads and drainage within the area have already commenced this year.
To improve the water quality in KPC, the piping loop system consisting of a 2-km water pipeline in Gebeng was completed and has already been handed over to the Pahang Water Supply Department in March 2010.
Land clearing and survey works are currently ongoing for the construction of Panching Water Treatment Plant. Once completed, the water treatment plant will have a capacity of 160 million litres per day, which will address the water supply issue faced by investors, particularly in Gebeng area. The plant will also help meet the current and future demand for water in line with KPC’s anticipated growth.
Another component of the KPC development involves the expansion of the Kuantan Port. The feasibility study on Kuantan Port expansion has already been completed and the port’s expansion plan is now ready to take off.
AGRICULTURE
One of the key agriculture projects in ECER is the development of the Region’s Herbal Cluster, which is aimed at accelerating the development of ECER’s herbal and biotechnology industry, promoting economic growth in rural areas, increasing entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for the locals, as well as raising their income level.
Phase 1 of the Herbal Cluster project will involve the development of Herbal Farms in Pasir Raja, Dungun (461 hectares) and Chegar Perah, Lipis (334 hectares) respectively, which is expected to create a total of 567 new jobs. Phase 2 of the project will cover the development of Herbal Farms in Durian Mentangau, Dungun (151 hectares) and Rantau Manis, Gua Musang (323 hectares) respectively.
These four projects have been recognised as Entry Point Projects (EPP) under the New Economic Model Plan which was launched by the Government in October this year.
Focus will be given on pharmaceutical, nutritional and biotechnological products manufactured for the export market, whereby seven (7) types of crops have already been proposed for the Herbal Cluster projects namely, Hempedu Bumi, Dukung Anak, Misai Kucing, Kacip Fatimah, Tongkat Ali, Lemon Myrtle and Agarwood.
The livestock cluster of ECER has also seen significant development in 2010, with the construction of Muadzam Shah Cattle Research & Innovation Centre and Kuala Berang Goat Breeding & Innovation Centre in Terengganu showing good progress to date.
The Muadzam Shah Cattle Research & Innovation Centre project, which is divided into three (3) packages, saw two (2) of the project packages being awarded to contractors this year. The first package is for the development of the Cattle Research & Innovation Centre in Mardi Station located at Bukit Ridan, Muadzam Shah, Pahang, while the second package of the project is for the development of pasture and fodder for cattle feed in the same location. Both packages are expected to be completed within 15 months’ time.
Meanwhile, initial works are currently ongoing for the Kuala Berang Goat Breeding & Innovation Centre in Terengganu and the project is expected to be ready within 24 months.
KUALA TERENGGANU CITY CENTRE (KTCC) DEVELOPMENT
The east coast city of Kuala Terengganu is now ready for a major transformation under the Kuala Terengganu City Centre (KTCC) project. The development of KTCC will see the State capital being developed into a vibrant Heritage Waterfront City and an international tourism gateway to the East Coast.
The project consultant for KTCC development has been appointed in 2009 and the project study is currently in the final stages. Detailed design works and infrastructure development for KTCC is scheduled for implementation under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP).
It is projected that the development of KTCC’s North Breakwater and South Breakwater will generate a total investment worth RM3.9 billion, of which RM3.5 billion will be from the private sector.
To complement the KTCC development, the Terengganu ICT Centre will be built in Batu Rakit. The project consultant has already been appointed in September 2010 and project studies are currently ongoing.
POVERTY ERADICATION PROGRAMME
The Agropolitan Project is an integrated socioeconomic project initiated by ECERDC with the aim of eradicating poverty among the hardcore poor communities within the region.
The Pekan Agropolitan project in Pahang has seen 100 participants and their families being relocated to their new homes in Batu 8, Lepar, Pekan in September this year. ECERDC is also building 60 Animal Production Unit (APUs) for Dorper sheep in Batu 8, Lepar, plus another 24 APUs in nearby Runchang for Agropolitan Pekan participants. Development works of the oil palm estate on a 1,200-hectare of land are currently ongoing.
ECERDC is also in the midst of building 330 new houses under the South Kelantan Agropolitan (SKA) project in Gua Musang, which are expected to be completed by end-April 2011.The relocation of participating poor families from the area into these new homes are scheduled to take place in June 2011.
SKA entails the resettlement of the poor families to 3,000 new homes and the development of over 9,900 hectares of land that will be carried out in stages. ECERDC has appointed the Southern Kelantan Development Board (KESEDAR) as the implementing agency for this project.
For Besut-Setiu Agropolitan project, the construction of 100 homes and 52 Animal Production Units (APU) for the hardcore poor have commenced in September 2010. Under Phase 1 of the project, 38 homes, 18 APUs and fodder areas will be ready by May 2011, with the entire project to be completed by the end of next year. The Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) has been appointed as the implementing agency for this project.
Another poverty alleviation programme introduced by ECERDC is Suri@Home which is specifically targeted at single mothers and poor women. ECERDC’s Suri@Home Women Empowerment Programme in Terengganu involving the Songket weaving project is scheduled to be fully operational by the end of 2010, while Suri@Home Tenun weaving project in Pahang, as well as vermicompost and mushroom farming in Kelantan have already been implemented since 2009 .
HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT
As of December 1 this year, a total of 2,605 ECER locals have successfully secured employment under ECERDC’s KerJaya ECER initiative comprising the Graduate Placement Opportunity (GPO) programme, Employee Placement Programme (EPP) and Skills Training Prorgramme (STP).
A total of 1,305 participants comprising the multiracial populace of Bentong, Pahang are currently undergoing academic and skills training courses under ECERDC’s empower Bentong programme which was launched on July 31 this year. empower Bentong has already shown encouraging results, with more than 120 participants of its community skill training courses already generating additional income of between RM400 and RM1,500 per person. The Council plans to extend the programme to other districts in Pahang such as Temerloh and Lipis, as well as other relevant locations in ECER.
Meanwhile, ECERDC’s Sinar ECER programme which is mainly aimed at Agropolitan children now incorporates three (3) modules namely, tuition classes for Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) examination, Interactive Days’ (focusing on public speaking skills and self confidence) and ‘Kids Camp’ (focusing on self-management skills). Ninety-five (95) children are currently participating in Sinar ECER programme, of which 25 are from ECER’s South Kelantan Agropolitan Project in Gua Musang, while another 70 are from the Pekan Agropolitan project in Runchang, Pahang.
Sinar ECER programme has also shown positive results, with one of its Orang Asli participants from Sekolah Kebangsaan Runchang, Juyana Teor Bak Song, scoring 5As in the recent UPSR exam. Her achievement is viewed as significant, considering that the school - which caters to the Orang Asli community under the Runchang resettlement scheme - has never produced a straight As student since it was opened 18 years ago.
REVIVAL OF AREAS FORMERLY UNDER LEMBAGA KEMAJUAN PAHANG TENGGARA (DARA) AND LEMBAGA KEMAJUAN WILAYAH JENGKA (LKWJ)
ECERDC has been appointed by the Government to facilitate the revival of the areas formerly under the now-dissolved Southeast Pahang Development Authority (DARA) and Jengka Regional Development Authority (LKWJ). The Federal Government had provided a special allocation of RM49.5 million for this purpose under the 9MP, whereby the funds are channeled directly via ECERDC to the respective local councils within the areas namely Maran, Rompin, Pekan, Bera, Jerantut and Temerloh.
The fund will be used to enhance the areas' general maintenance and to implement high-impact socio-economic programmes and micro development projects that will benefit the local communities.
By end of October 2010, the RM49.5 million allocation has already been committed by the respective district councils for both maintenance and development projects.
Translation - Malay ECER TARIK PELABURAN SEBANYAK RM36.5 BILION
Kuala Lumpur, 16 Dis: Wilayah Ekonomi Pantai Timur (ECER) telah menarik pelaburan sebanyak RM36.5 bilion dari dalam dan luar negara sejak ia ditubuhkan pada 2007 sehingga November 2010, menurut Perdana Menteri, YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak.
Daripada jumlah tersebut, RM15.3 bilion daripadanya telah pun diterima, kata beliau. Pelaburan-pelaburan yang telah diterima ini merangkumi 158 projek, yang telah mewujudkan 17,500 peluang pekerjaan baru untuk para penduduk ECER dalam tempoh tersebut.
Para pelabur tersebut termasuklah Eco Tower Sdn Bhd dari Singapura dan Oilfields Supply Centre Ltd dari Emiriah Arab Bersatu (UAE), serta syarikat-syarikat tempatan seperti Sentoria Themeparks and Resorts Sdn Bhd dan Hi Essence Sdn Bhd.
“Jumlah pelaburan yang memberangsangkan ini mencerminkan keyakinan dan kepercayaan para pelabur terhadap ECER sebagai sebuah destinasi pelaburan yang distingtif, dinamik dan kompetitif,” kata Perdana Menteri selepas mempengerusikan Mesyuarat Majlis yang Ketiga untuk tahun 2010 bagi Majlis Pembangunan Wilayah Ekonomi Pantai Timur (ECERDC) di sini hari ini.
“Saya amat berbesar hati mengumumkan bahawa Wilayah ini kini bersedia untuk menerima kedatangan lebih ramai lagi pelabur, baik dari Malaysia mahupun antarabangsa. Kebanyakan infrastruktur asas di ECER telah pun siap dibina dan Wilayah ini turut menawarkan pakej insentif fiskal dan bukan fiskal yang kompetitif kepada para pelabur,” tambah beliau.
Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak berkata beliau sangat berpuas hati dengan usaha promosi pelaburan secara berfokus yang dijalankan oleh ECERDC pada tahun ini, yang merupakan sebahagian daripada arah tuju strategik Majlis tersebut bagi 2010.
Perdana Menteri juga amat gembira dengan kemajuan yang ditunjukkan oleh ECER dari segi perlaksanaan projek, yang mengambil kira keseluruhan rantaian nilai dan integrasi rangkaian bekalan, dan bermatlamat untuk menjana pertumbuhan ekonomi di wilayah ini.
Pembangunan di ECER sedang berjalan lancar mengikut jadual, di mana kesemua projek yang diluluskan oleh Kerajaan untuk Wilayah tersebut di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Ke-9 (RMK-9) kini berada dalam pelbagai peringkat pelaksanaan.
Projek-projek yang bernilai RM1.4 bilion tersebut merangkumi kelompok ekonomi utama iaitu pelancongan, minyak, gas & petrokimia, pembuatan, pertanian dan pendidikan. Status pelaksanaan projek adalah merangkumi kajian Strategi Perniagaan dan Pelan Pelaksanaan (BSIP) hinggalah kerja-kerja reka bentuk dan fizikal.
“Kesemua projek yang dilaksanakan di ECER adalah seiring dengan Model Ekonomi Baru (NEM), termasuklah Projek-projek Permulaan (EPP) yang memberi penekanan terhadap projek-projek pelaburan swasta, dan bakal menyumbang secara signifikan kepada Pendapatan Negara Kasar (GNI),” jelas Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif ECERDC, YBhg. Dato’ Jebasingam Issace John.
“Projek-projek seperti Agropolitan Pekan, Agropolitan Kelantan Selatan dan Agropolitan Besut-Setiu juga akan membantu meningkatkan pendapatan golongan miskin tegar dan berpendapatan rendah, dan seterusnya dapat mengurangkan tahap kemiskinan di Wilayah ini,” tambah beliau.
“Transformasi ECER kini sedang berjalan dan kami yakin visi ECER untuk menjadi sebuah wilayah maju menjelang 2020 mampu dicapai,” ujar Dato’ Issace.
Berikut merupakan pencapaian-pencapaian utama ECER setakat ini:
ZON EKONOMI KHAS ECER (ECER SEZ)
Zon Ekonomi Khas ECER (ECER SEZ) merupakan penumpuan projek-projek berimpak tinggi di dalam sebuah zon pembangunan bersepadu yang terletak di nukleus ECER, bermula dari Kertih, Terengganu hingga Pekan, Pahang.
Di bawah RMK9, 24 projek telah diluluskan bagi ECER SEZ termasuklah Taman Polimer Kertih (KPP), Taman Industri Automotif Pekan (Pekan AIP), Kelompok Perindustrian Minyak Sawit (POIC), Bandar Pelabuhan Kuantan, Agropolitan Pekan, Taman Halal Gambang dan Bandar Warisan Pekan.
Di KPP, kerja-kerja pembangunan infrastruktur bagi Fasa 1A dan 1B telah pun siap, manakala kerja-kerja infrastruktur bagi Fasa 1C dijangka siap menjelang Februari 2013. Kerja-kerja reka bentuk untuk Fasa 2 pula dijangka siap pada bulan ini.
Bagi Pekan AIP pula, pembinaan Kompleks Pemasaran Berpusat (CMC), serta kerja-kerja infrastruktur dan penaiktarafan landskap sedang giat dijalankan. Kerja-kerja infrastruktur untuk Fasa 2 bagi Pekan AIP juga telah bermula sejak Oktober 2010.
ECERDC juga telah menyiapkan pelan perniagaan dan strategik untuk POIC pada Ogos 2010 dan Majlis telah melantik kontraktor untuk kerja-kerja tanah dan infrastruktur pada September lalu. Kajian projek bagi Taman Industri Berat Kemaman juga telah siap pada November.
Kerja-kerja tanah dan infrastuktur di Taman Halal Gambang dan Taman Halal Pasir Mas juga telah bermula pada November tahun ini, menandakan satu lagi pembangunan penting di ECER dan juga industri Halal di Malaysia secara amnya.
Kerja-kerja infrastruktur juga sedang dijalankan di Taman Industri Minyak, Gas dan Logistik Tanjung Agas, Pahang dan kerja-kerja reka bentuk sedang dilaksanakan untuk pembinaan jalan raya dan jambatan, serta loji rawatan air di Ganchong untuk memenuhi keperluan masa depan di Taman tersebut. Majlis upacara pecah tanah bagi pembangunan sebuah pangkalan bekalan pengguna bersama di Taman tersebut baru sahaja berlangsung baru-baru ini, yang merupakan sebuah projek usahasama di antara Tanjong Agas Supply Base & Marine Services Sdn Bhd and Oilfields Supply Centre Ltd yang berpangkalan di Dubai.
KONURBASI ECER SEZ-KUANTAN
Seiring dengan strategi pembangunan penumpuan terpencar ("decentralized concentration") oleh Kerajaan, penekanan berterusan akan diberikan terhadap ECER SEZ dari segi perlaksanaan projek di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Ke-10(RMK10). Bagi menguatkan lagi peranan ECER SEZ sebagai penjana pertumbuhan di ECER, pengiktirafan akan diberikan kepada Konurbasi Kuantan di bawah RMK10 yang telah dicadangkan sebagai salah satu Konurbasi Pertumbuhan di Semenanjung Malaysia di bawah Pelan Fizikal Negara Ke-2.
Bandar Bentong, Pahang telah dikenalpasti mempunyai potensi untuk menjadi taman industri satelit pilihan bagi kawasan "Greater KL".
"Greater KL boleh menggunakan kelebihan kelompok kediaman dan industri yang sedia ada di Bentong yang hanya terletak 45km dari Pusat Bandar Kuala Lumpur. Rangkaian Bentong-Greater KL boleh dipertingkatkan lagi menerusi kelompok pendidikan yang telah pun wujud, yang antara lain meliputi Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia dan Institut Aminuddin Baki, serta kelompok hiburan/rekreasi di Genting Highlands dan Bukit Tinggi," kata Dato' Issace.
Melihat kepada potensi ini, ECERDC telah memperkenalkan insiatif empower Bentong pada Julai lalu, yang bermatlamat untuk membangunkan modal insan di kawasan tersebut bagi menyokong inisiatif-inisiatif tersebut.
PEMBANGUNAN BANDAR PELABUHAN KUANTAN
Salah satu projek utama di ECER SEZ ialah pembangunan Bandar Pelabuhan Kuantan (KPC) yang akan menjadi pelabuhan wilayah timur yang utama dan pintu masuk yang penting bagi perdagangan di rantau Asia Pasifik.
Pelan Induk Bersepadu untuk KPC telah dimuktamadkan dan diserahkan kepada Majlis Perbandaran Kuantan pada Februari 2010. Kerja-kerja menaiktaraf jalan raya dan saliran telah bermula pada tahun ini.
Bagi meningkatkan kualiti air di KPC, sistem perpaipan gelung merangkumi saluran paip air sepanjang 2km di Gebeng telah siap dan diserahkan kepada Jabatan Bekalan Air Pahang pada Mac 2010.
Kerja-kerja pembersihan tanah dan pengukuran sedang dilaksanakan bagi pembinaan Loji Rawatan Air Panching. Apabila siap kelak, loji rawatan air akan mempunyai kapasiti sebanyak 160 juta liter setiap hari, yang akan menangani isu bekalan air yang dihadapi oleh para pelabur, terutamanya di kawasan Gebeng. Loji ini juga akan membantu memenuhi permintaan air semasa dan pada masa hadapan seiring dengan jangkaan pertumbuhan KPC.
Satu lagi komponen di dalam pembangunan KPC melibatkan perluasan Pelabuhan Kuantan. Kajian kebolehlaksanaan bagi perluasan Pelabuhan Kuantan telah pun siap dan pelan perluasan pelabuhan tersebut kini sedia untuk dilaksanakan.
PERTANIAN
Salah satu projek utama pertanian di ECER ialah pembangunan Kelompok Herba Wilayah, yang bermatlamat untuk memacu pembangunan industri herba dan bioteknologi ECER, mempromosikan pertumbuhan ekonomi di kawasan-kawasan luar bandar, memberikan lebih banyak peluang pekerjaan dan keusahawanan untuk para penduduk tempatan, serta meningkatkan pendapatan mereka.
Fasa 1 projek Kelompok Herba bakal melibatkan pembangunan Ladang Herba di Pasir Raja, Dungun (461 hektar) dan Chegar Perah, Lipis (334 hektar), yang bakal mewujudkan 567 peluang pekerjaan baru. Fasa 2 projek ini pula akan meliputi pembangunan Ladang Herba di Durian Mentangau, Dungun (151 hektar) dan Rantau Manis, Gua Musang (323 hektar).
Keempat-empat projek ini telah diiktiraf sebagai Projek Permulaan (EPP) di bawah Pelan Model Ekonomi Baru (NEM) yang dilancarkan oleh Kerajaan pada bulan Oktober tahun ini.
Penekanan bakal diberikan kepada pembuatan produk-produk farmaseutikal, nutrisi dan bioteknologi bagi pasaran ekport, di mana tujuh (7) jenis tanaman telah dicadangkan bagi projek-projek Kelompok Herba iaitu Hempedu Bumi, Dukung Anak, Misai Kucing, Kacip Fatimah, Tongkat Ali, Serai Pedas (Lemon Myrtle) dan Gaharu (Agarwood).
Kelompok ternakan di ECER telah menyaksikan perkembangan yang signifikan pada tahun 2010, di mana pembinaan projek Pusat Penyelidikan dan Inovasi Muadzam Shah dan Pusat Pembiakbakaan dan Inovasi Kuala Berang di Terengganu telah menyaksikan perkembangan yang memberangsangkan.
Projek Pusat Penyelidikan dan Inovasi Muadzam Shah dibahagikan kepada tiga (3) pakej, di mana dua (2) pakej projek berkenaan telah pun diserahkan kepada para kontraktor pada tahun ini untuk pelaksanaan. Pakej pertama adalah bagi pembangunan Pusat Penyelidikan dan Inovasi Ternakan Lembu di Stesen Mardi yang terletak di Bukit Ridan, Muadzam Shah, Pahang, sementara pakej kedua projek berkenaan adalah bagi pembangunan pastura dan foder bagi makanan ternakan lembu di lokasi yang sama. Kedua-dua pakej ini dijangka akan siap dalam tempoh 15 bulan.
Sementara itu, kerja-kerja permulaan sedang dilaksanakan bagi Pusat Pembiakbakaan dan Inovasi Kuala Berang dan projek ini dijangka siap dalam tempoh 24 bulan.
PEMBANGUNAN PUSAT BANDARAYA KUALA TERENGGANU
Bandaraya Kuala Terengganu kini bersedia untuk melalui satu transformasi utama di bawah projek pembangunan Pusat Bandaraya Kuala Terengganu (KTCC). Projek KTCC akan menyaksikan ibu negeri Terengganu itu bakal dibangunkan sebagai sebuah Bandar Warisan Pesisir Air dan pintu gerbang pelancongan antarabangsa bagi Pantai Timur.
Perunding projek bagi pembangunan KTCC telah dilantik pada tahun 2009 dan kajian projek tersebut kini berada di peringkat akhir. Kerja-kerja pembangunan reka bentuk dan infrastruktur terperinci bagi KTCC dijangka bakal dilaksanakan di bawah RMK-10.
Adalah dianggarkan bahawa pembangunan Pemecah Ombak Utara dan Selatan KTCC bakal menjana pelaburan keseluruhan bernilai RM3.9 bilion, yang mana RM3.5 bilion adalah daripada sektor swasta.
Bagi melengkapi pembangunan KTCC, Pusat ICT Terengganu akan turut dibina di Batu Rakit. Perunding projek telah dilantik pada September 2010 dan kajian projek tersebut kini sedang berjalan.
PROGRAM PEMBASMIAN KEMISKINAN
Projek Agropolitan merupakan sebuah projek sosioekonomi bersepadu yang diperkenalkan oleh ECERDC dengan matlamat untuk membasmi kemiskinan di kalangan masyarakat miskin tegar di wilayah ini.
Projek Agropolitan Pekan di Pahang telah menyaksikan 100 peserta bersama keluarga mereka telah ditempatkan di rumah baru yang terletak di Batu 8, Lepar, Pekan pada September tahun ini. ECERDC juga telah membina 60 buah Unit Pengeluaran Ternakan (APU) bagi biri-biri Dorper di Batu 8, Lepar serta 24 APU di Runchang yang terletak berhampiran bagi para peserta Pekan Agropolitan. Kerja-kerja pembangunan ladang kelapa sawit di tanah seluas 1,200 hektar kini sedang dilaksanakan.
ECERDC juga sedang membina 330 buah rumah baru di bawah projek Agropolitan Kelantan Selatan (SKA) di Gua Musang yang dijangka siap pada akhir bulan April 2011. Penempatan semula keluarga-keluarga miskin yang terlibat dalam projek ini dijadualkan pada bulan Jun 2011.
Penempatan semula keluarga-keluarga miskin di SKA ke 3,000 buah rumah baru dan pembangunan kawasan seluas 9,900 hektar akan dilaksanakan secara berperingkat. ECERDC telah melantik Lembaga Kemajuan Kelantan Selatan(KESEDAR) sebagai agensi pelaksana bagi projek ini.
Bagi projek Agropolitan Besut-Setiu, pembinaan 100 buah rumah dan 52 APU bagi golongan miskin tegar telah dimulakan pada September 2010. Di bawah Fasa 1 projek berkenaan, 38 buah rumah, 18 APU dan kawasan foder akan siap pada bulan Mei 2011, dengan keseluruhan projek dijangka akan siap sepenuhnya pada akhir tahun depan. Lembaga Kemajuan Tanah Persekutuan (FELDA) telah dilantik sebagai agensi pelaksana bagi projek ini.
ECERDC telah memperkenalkan satu lagi program pembasmian kemiskinan iaitu Suri@Home yang mensasarkan golongan ibu tunggal dan wanita miskin. Program pemerkasaan Wanita Suri@Home di Terengganu melibatkan projek tenunan Songket yang dijadualkan beroperasi sepenuhnya pada akhir 2010, sementara projek Suri@Home bagi tenunan Tenun di Pahang, serta projek vermicompost dan penanaman cendawan dan di Kelantan telah dilaksanakan sejak tahun 2009.
PEMBANGUNAN MODAL INSAN
Sehingga 1 Disember tahun ini, sejumlah 2,605 orang peserta dari wilayah ini telah berjaya memperolehi pekerjaan di bawah inisiatif KerJaya ECER oleh ECERDC yang melibatkan Program Peluang Penempatan Graduan (GPO), Program Penempatan Pekerja (EPP) serta Program Latihan Kemahiran (STP).
Sementara itu, sejumlah 1,305 orang peserta dari pelbagai kaum di Bentong, Pahang sedang mengikuti kursus akademik dan latihan kemahiran di bawah program empower Bentong yang telah dilancarkan pada 31 Julai lalu. empower Bentong telah mula menunjukkan hasil yang memberangsangkan, di mana 120 orang daripada para pesertanya yang masih mengikuti kursus latihan kemahiran telah berjaya menjana pendapatan tambahan antara RM400 hingga RM1,500 setiap seorang. ECERDC bercadang untuk memperkenalkan program ini di daerah-daerah lain di Pahang seperti Temerloh dan Lipis, serta beberapa lokasi lain di ECER yang dilihat bersesuaian.
Sementara itu, program Sinar ECER yang diperkenalkan untuk anak-anak peserta Agropolitan kini merangkumi tiga (3) modul iaitu kelas bimbingan bagi peperiksaan Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR), Interactive Day (fokus kepada kemahiran pengucapan awam dan keyakinan diri) dan Kids Camp (fokus kepada kemahiran pengurusan diri). Seramai 95 kanak-kanak sedang menyertai program Sinar ECER, yang mana 25 orang adalah daripada projek Agropolitan Kelantan Selatan di Gua Musang, manakala 70 orang lagi adalah daripada projek Agropolitan Pekan di Runchang, Pahang.
Program Sinar ECER juga telah menunjukan hasil yang positif, dengan salah seorang peserta Orang Asli dari Sekolah Kebangsaan Runchang, Juyana Teor Bak Song, telah berjaya memperolehi keputusan 5A pada peperiksaan UPSR baru-baru ini. Kejayaan beliau dianggap amat bermakna memandangkan sekolah berkenaan - yang dibina khusus bagi masyarakat Orang Asli di bawah skim penempatan semula Runchang - tidak pernah menghasilkan pelajar 5A sejak ianya dibuka 18 tahun yang lalu.
PEMBANGUNAN BEKAS KAWASAN DI BAWAH PENTADBIRAN DARA DAN LKWJ
ECERDC telah dilantik oleh Kerajaan bagi menyelia pembangunan kawasan-kawasan yang dahulunya ditadbir oleh Lembaga Kemajuan Pahang Tenggara (DARA) dan Lembaga Kemajuan Wilayah Jengka (LKWJ) yang telah dibubarkan. Kerajaan Persekutuan telah menyediakan peruntukan khas sejumlah RM49.5 juta bagi tujuan ini di bawah RMK-9, di mana peruntukan ini disalurkan melalui ECERDC kepada pihak-pihak berkuasa tempatan daerah terbabit iaitu Maran, Rompin, Pekan, Bera, Jerantut dan Temerloh.
Peruntukan ini bakal digunakan bagi meningkatkan penyenggaraan kawasan berkenaan dan untuk pelaksanaan projek sosio-ekonomi impak tinggi serta projek pembangunan mikro yang akan memberi manfaat kepada masyarakat tempatan.
Sehingga akhir Oktober 2010, peruntukan sejumlah RM49.5 juta bagi tujuan penyenggaraan dan pembangunan projek telah pun terikat oleh majlis-majlis daerah yang terlibat.
English to Malay: MEDIA RELEASE: "ECER EMPOWERS PEKAN AGROPOLITAN CHILDREN" (NOVEMBER 13, 2010) General field: Other Detailed field: Education / Pedagogy
Source text - English SINAR ECER EMPOWERS PEKAN AGROPOLITAN CHILDREN
PEKAN, Pahang, Nov 13: More than 70 children of the Pekan Agropolitan project participants are taking part in Sinar ECER's "Kids Camp" programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Runchang here beginning today, which aims to empower them with self-management, creative thinking and communications skills.
Jointly organised by the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), the two-day "Kids Camp" is part of ECERDC's continuous effort to empower the children of Agropolitan families via its SINAR ECER programme.
Sinar ECER is targeted at the underprivileged children who come from hardcore poor families in the East Coast Economic Region (ECER), especially those from the Agropolitan areas. Its objectives are to promote academic excellence as well as develop positive mindsets and character-building among the participating youngsters.
Agropolitan project is a key ECERDC initiative which aims to reduce poverty in ECER and increase the household income among the local population. Through this programme, Agropolitan participants are expected to generate RM1,000 and RM2,000 monthly from primary and secondary activities such as sheep rearing, oil palm plantation and aquaponics, among others.
Chief Executive Officer of ECERDC, Dato' Jebasingam Issace John said SINAR ECER reflects the Council's holistic approach in supporting the adjustment of Agropolitan families.
"ECER's Agropolitan project serves to provide hardcore families, which include Orang Asli households, with a sustainable income stream while educating their children to enable these young minds to be self-reliant, competitive and academically accomplished," said Dato' Issace.
"We are pleased to say that within a year of implementation, the Agropolitan projects have borne results with significant improvement in the quality of life and financial independence for the hardcore poor," he added.
Ninety-five (95) children are currently participating in SINAR ECER programme, of which approximately 70 are from the Pekan Agropolitan Project in Runchang while another 25 are from the South Kelantan Agropolitan Project in Gua Musang.
SINAR ECER undertakes an integrated approach in its design, whereby the activities involve personal development, academic achievement and finally team participation in competitive games.
The first phase of the activities aims to inculcate the recognition of oneself and self-management, while the second phase of activities emphasises on academic performance. In this regard, tuition classes were held from July to August this year ahead of the Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) examination. The classes provided were for Bahasa Malaysia (BM), English, Science and Mathematics subjects.
Classes were taught according to two levels based on the children's age: The six to nine year-olds were placed in Level 1 classes that focused on the '3M' of Membaca, Menulis, Mengira (Reading, Writing, Counting), while the10 to 12 year-olds were given Level 2 tuition which focused on BM, English, Mathematics and Science.
Meanwhile, 'Interactive Days' module was held earlier on October 1-2 in Gua Musang and October 2-3, 2010 in Runchang as a platform to instill confidence and pride among the young minds.
At the Kids Camp which begins today, the children learn to improve their communications skills via ice-breaking activities as well as strengthening their capacity for teamwork by taking part in various team-building activities. This is further supplemented by motivational talks to encourage the young minds to explore their full potential and tap into new education opportunities.
“The positive feedback from parents is highly encouraging and ECERDC looks forward to gain continuous support for the SINAR ECER programme from various stakeholders,” said Dato’ Issace.
PEKAN, Pahang, 13 Nov: Lebih 70 orang kanak-kanak dari kalangan keluarga peserta Agropolitan Pekan mengambil bahagian dalam program SINAR ECER “Kids Camp” (Perkhemahan Kanak-kanak) di Sekolah Kebangsaan Runchang bermula hari ini, yang bertujuan memperkasakan mereka dengan kemahiran pengurusan kendiri, pemikiran kreatif dan kebolehan berkomunikasi.
Dianjurkan bersama oleh Majlis Pembangunan Wilayah Ekonomi Pantai Timur (ECERDC) dan Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), aktiviti selama dua hari ini merupakan sebahagian daripada usaha berterusan ECERDC dalam memperkasakan golongan muda dari kalangan keluarga Agropolitan melalui program SINAR ECER.
SINAR ECER disasarkan kepada kanak-kanak yang kurang bernasib baik dari kalangan keluarga miskin tegar di Wilayah Ekonomi Pantai Timur (ECER), terutamanya dari kalangan keluarga peserta projek Agropolitan. Objektif program ini adalah bagi meningkatkan kecemerlangan akademik serta membangunkan cara pemikiran para peserta, di samping membentuk sahsiah diri mereka.
Projek Agropolitan merupakan salah satu inisiatif utama ECERDC dalam membasmi kemiskinan di ECER dan meningkatkan pendapatan isi rumah di kalangan penduduk tempatan. Melalui program ini, para peserta Agropolitan dijangka akan memperolehi RM1,000 hingga RM2,000 sebulan melalui aktiviti utama dan sekunder seperti penternakan biri-biri, perladangan kelapa sawit, aquaponik dan lain-lain lagi.
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif ECERDC, Dato’ Jebasingam Issace John berkata, SINAR ECER melambangkan pendekatan secara menyeluruh ECERDC dalam membantu para keluarga Agropolitan menyesuaikan diri dengan kehidupan baru, susulan penyertaaan mereka di dalam projek tersebut.
“Projek Agropolitan ECER bertujuan untuk menyediakan sumber pendapatan yang tetap kepada keluarga miskin tegar, termasuklah keluarga Orang Asli, dan pada masa yang sama, mendidik anak-anak peserta Agropolitan agar mampu berdikari, berdaya saing dan berjaya dalam pelajaran.
“Sukacita dimaklumkan bahawa sejak setahun pelaksanaan projek ini, projek Agropolitan telah menampakkan hasil dari segi peningkatan taraf hidup dan kedudukan kewangan yang lebih baik di kalangan keluarga peserta miskin tegar,” tambahnya.
Buat masa ini, seramai 95 peserta kanak-kanak sedang mengikuti program SINAR ECER, iaitu 70 kanak-kanak daripada projek Agropolitan Pekan di Runchang dan 25 kanak-kanak daripada projek Agropolitan Kelantan Selatan di Gua Musang.
SINAR ECER menggunakan pendekatan bersepadu dalam pelaksanaannya, di mana ianya merangkumi modul pembangunan diri, kecemerlangan akademik dan penglibatan berkumpulan dalam aktiviti-aktiviti yang bersifat kompetitif.
Fasa pertama aktiviti adalah bertujuan untuk menanamkan semangat mengenali dan menghargai diri sendiri serta pengurusan kendiri, manakala fasa kedua aktiviti pula menekankan kepada prestasi akademik. Sehubungan itu, kelas tambahan telah diadakan untuk para peserta pada bulan Julai dan Ogos pada tahun ini sebagai persediaan untuk peperiksaan Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR). Kelas tambahan ini melibatkan subjek Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Inggeris, Sains dan Matematik.
Kelas-kelas tersebut diadakan mengikut dua peringkat berdasarkan umur kanak-kanak. Bagi kanak-kanak yang berusia enam hingga sembilan tahun, mereka ditempatkan di Peringkat 1 yang memberikan penekanan kepada kemahiran “3M” iaitu Membaca, Menulis dan Mengira. Manakala, kanak-kanak berusia 10 hingga 12 tahun pula ditempatkan di Peringkat 2 bagi pengajaran tambahan dalam subjek Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Inggeris, Sains dan Matematik.
Sementara itu, modul “Interactive Days” (Hari Interaktif) telah dianjurkan pada 1 dan 2 Oktober di Gua Musang dan 2 dan 3 Oktober di Runchang bagi menerapkan rasa keyakinan diri di kalangan kanak-kanak tersebut.
Sepanjang berlangsungnya “Kids Camp” ini, para peserta akan mempelajari bagaimana untuk meningkatkan kemahiran berkomunikasi melalui aktiviti suai kenal serta meningkatkan kebolehan untuk bekerja secara berkumpulan dalam pelbagai aktiviti ‘team-building’. Ini akan disusuli dengan ceramah motivasi bagi menggalakkan kanak-kanak ini meneroka potensi diri masing-masing dan merebut peluang-peluang baru dalam bidang pendidikan.
“Setakat ini, maklumbalas positif yang diterima daripada ibu bapa peserta adalah amat menggalakkan dan ECERDC berharap akan terus memperolehi sokongan bagi program SINAR ECER ini daripada pihak-pihak yang terlibat,” kata Dato’ Issace.
English to Malay: MEDIA RELEASE: "100 POOR FAMILIES RECEIVE NEW HOMES & JOBS UNDER ECER'S PEKAN AGROPOLITAN PROJECT" (APRIL 9, 2011) General field: Other Detailed field: Social Science, Sociology, Ethics, etc.
Source text - English 100 POOR FAMILIES RECEIVE NEW HOMES & JOBS UNDER ECER'S PEKAN AGROPOLITAN PROJECT
PEKAN, April 9 : Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak today commended the progress of the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC)’s Pekan Agropolitan socioeconomic project, which has benefited some 130 poor families and is expected to transform the lives of over 400 families by mid-2012.
About 100 poor families in Batu 8, Mukim Lepar here are now enjoying better lives and steady income through their participation in the Pekan Agropolitan project.
The families have recently moved into their new homes built by ECERDC, complete with public amenities such as a community hall, kindergarten, mosque and shop lots. The participants are also earning stable income now through their involvement in Dorper sheep rearing activity.
“Through various economic activities already planned for the participants, they are expected to generate a steady monthly income of between RM1,000 and RM2,000 within the first three years of the project and the amount is expected to increase to RM5,000 per month over the long term. This is in line with the Government’s Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) towards creating a high-income nation,” said Najib after symbolically handing over the new house keys to the 100 participants in Batu 8 here today.
Also present to witness the event were Pahang Menteri Besar, Dato’ Sri Diraja Haji Adnan Haji Yaakob and Chief Executive Officer of ECERDC, Dato’ Jebasingam Issace John.
The Agropolitan project is an integrated socioeconomic project introduced by ECERDC with the aim of eradicating poverty in the East Coast Economic Region (ECER), balancing the development growth between rural and urban areas, and accelerating rural economic growth through agricultural activities and farm-based industry.
ECERDC’s Agropolitan project is being implemented in the states of Kelantan (South Kelantan Agropolitan and North Kelantan Agropolitan), Terengganu (Besut-Setiu Agropolitan) and Pahang (Pekan Agropolitan in Batu 8, Runchang and Tanjung Batu.)
The project consists of three important components namely, primary activities such as sheep rearing and oil palm plantation; secondary activities which include downstream sheep-based and oil palm-based industries, corn farming, pineapple plantation and Small and Medium-Sized Entrepreneurs (SME) activities; and finally, supporting activities which involve Collection, Processing and Packaging Centre (CPPC), Sheep Auction Centre, training and Research & Development (R&D), and Sinar ECER for the participants’ children.
The Pekan Agropolitan project was launched by the Prime Minister in August 2009, starting with the pilot project in Runchang which involves 30 Orang Asli participants. ECERDC has appointed FELDA as the implementing agency for the Pekan Agropolitan project.
At today’s event, Najib also presented the 30 Orang Asli participants of the Pekan Agropolitan project with a special incentive payment following the successful Dorper Sheep Auction held by ECERDC last year. The auction managed to generate RM265,550 from 465 sheep sold to successful bidders.
The Orang Asli participants in Runchang are currently earning RM750 per month by just working for five hours a day at the Dorper sheep farm built by ECERDC. Their current income is triple the amount of their monthly earnings prior to joining the Agropolitan project, Najib said.
To further increase the income of Pekan Agropolitan participants, ECERDC also plans to integrate the project with the Integrated Swiftlet Park development in Tanjung Batu, which will be the first of its kind in Malaysia, as well as the Poultry Farming Project in Batu 8, he noted.
Najib added that the Pekan Agropolitan project plays an important role in the development of ECER’s livestock cluster, whereby it will emerge as the biggest producer of Dorper sheep within a single location in South East Asia through the construction of 250 Animal Production Units (APU) that will ultimately house a total of 25,000 sheep by 2015.
The Pekan Agropolitan project will also become the centre for sheep-based industries, such as the processing of organic fertiliser, tannery and sheepskin, as well fresh meat for both local and export markets, hence creating more employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for the local populace. The creation of these industries will also complement the development of ECER’s Halal Park in Gambang.
Meanwhile, ECERDC CEO, Dato’ Jebasingam Issace John said the Agropolitan project is unique as it focuses on the overall value chain of the economic activities to ensure steady and sustainable income for the participants.
The project also emphasizes on the participants’ self-empowerment through continuous training conducted by ECER’s Centres of Excellence (COE) such as Universiti Malaysia Kelantan and Universiti Malaysia Pahang. The training undertakes a holistic approach, whereby the participants are enriched with motivational and relevant skills in adapting to their new lives upon joining the Agropolitan project.
To engage the children of Agropolitan participants, ECERDC has also introduced the Sinar ECER programme to provide them with better academic and social skills.
Sinar ECER incorporates three modules namely, tuition classes for Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) examination, “Interactive Days” (focusing on public speaking skills and self-confidence) and “Kids Camp” (focusing on self-management skills).
A total of 160 children in Agropolitan Pekan are enrolled in the Sinar ECER programme, comprising 50 Orang Asli children in Runchang and 110 Agropolitan children in Batu 8, Mukim Lepar respectively. The programme’s success has already been proven, whereby one of its Orang Asli participants in Runchang, Juyana Teor Bak Song, managed to score 5A’s in last year’s Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR). Juyana was the first student in her school’s history to achieve straight A’s in the exam and she is now studying at a boarding school in Pahang.
Speaking about the project progress, Issace said the Pekan Agropolitan project in Lepar currently houses 30 Animal Production Units (APUs) containing 3,000 Dorper sheep. Another 30 APUs, which will house an additional 3,000 sheep, are currently being built and will be ready in July 2012.
For the Pekan Agropolitan project in Runchang, the 30 Orang Asli participants are currently working in 11 APUs, with another 24 APUs currently being constructed and are expected to be ready before the end of this year, he noted.
For the Pekan Agropolitan project in Tanjung Batu, construction of 213 houses equipped with public amenities is expected to commence by February 2012. Pekan Agropolitan participants in Tanjung Batu will be involved in oil palm plantation as the primary activity and swiftlet farming as the secondary activity.
On the progress of Agropolitan projects in other ECER states, Issace said ECERDC is currently building 350 new homes for poor families in Gua Musang under the South Kelantan Agropolitan project. They are scheduled to relocate to their new homes by July 2011.
Under Besut-Setiu Agropolitan, the construction of 100 homes and 52 APUs for Boer goat farming have commenced in September 2010. Under Phase 1 of the project, 38 homes, 20 APUs for Boer goats and fodder areas will be ready by August this year. The entire project is to be completed by early 2012, Issace said.
Translation - Malay 100 KELUARGA MISKIN TERIMA RUMAH & PEKERJAAN BARU DI BAWAH PROJEK AGROPOLITAN PEKAN ECER
PEKAN, 9 April: Perdana Menteri Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak, hari ini memuji kemajuan projek sosio-ekonomi Majlis Pembangunan Wilayah Ekonomi Pantai Timur (ECERDC), Projek Agropolitan Pekan yang telah memberi manfaat kepada sebilangan 130 keluarga miskin dan dijangka bakal mengubah kehidupan lebih 400 keluarga menjelang pertengahan 2012.
Hampir 100 keluarga miskin di Batu 8, Mukim Lepar sekarang ini menikmati kehidupan yang lebih baik dan menerima pendapatan tetap selepas menyertai projek Agropolitan Pekan.
Baru-baru ini, keluarga-keluarga tersebut telah berpindah ke rumah baru yang dibina oleh ECERDC, lengkap dengan kemudahan awam seperti dewan serbaguna, tadika, masjid dan rumah-rumah kedai. Para peserta juga kini mula menerima pendapatan stabil menerusi penglibatan mereka dalam penternakan biri-biri Dorper.
“Menerusi pelbagai aktiviti ekonomi yang telah dirancang untuk para peserta, mereka dijangka memperoleh pendapatan tetap bulanan di antara RM1,000 sehingga RM2,000 dalam tempoh tiga tahun pertama projek dijalankan, dan jumlah ini dijangka meningkat kepada RM5,000 sebulan dalam jangka masa panjang. Ia seiring dengan Program Transformasi Ekonomi (ETP) Kerajaan dalam usaha mewujudkan sebuah negara berpendapatan tinggi,” kata Najib selepas menyerahkan secara simbolik kunci rumah baru kepada 100 peserta di Batu 8 di sini hari ini.
Turut hadir menyaksikan upacara ini adalah Menteri Besar Pahang, Dato’ Sri Diraja Haji Adnan Haji Yaakob dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif ECERDC, Dato’ Jebasingam Issace John.
Projek Agropolitan merupakan projek sosio-ekonomi bersepadu hasil inisiatif ECERDC yang bermatlamat membasmi kemiskinan di Wilayah Ekonomi Pantai Timur (ECER), mengimbangi pertumbuhan pembangunan di antara kawasan bandar dan luar bandar, dan mempercepatkan pembangunan ekonomi luar bandar melalui aktiviti pertanian dan industri berasaskan pertanian.
Projek Agropolitan ECERDC sedang dilaksanakan di negeri Kelantan (Agropolitan Kelantan Selatan dan Agropolitan Kelantan Utara), Terengganu (Agropolitan Besut-Setiu) dan Pahang (Agropolitan Pekan di Batu 8, Runchang dan Tanjung Batu.)
Projek ini terdiri daripada tiga komponen utama iaitu aktiviti utama seperti penternakan biri-biri dan perladangan kelapa sawit; aktiviti sekunder yang meliputi industri hiliran berasaskan biri-biri dan minyak kelapa sawit, tanaman jagung, perladangan nenas dan aktiviti-aktiviti industri kecil dan sederhana (IKS); dan akhir sekali, aktiviti sokongan yang melibatkan pusat Pengumpulan, Pemprosesan dan Pembungkusan (CPPC), Pusat Lelongan Biri-biri, latihan dan Penyelidikan & Pembangunan (R&D), dan program Sinar ECER untuk anak-anak para peserta.
Projek Agropolitan Pekan telah dilancarkan oleh Perdana Menteri pada Ogos 2009, bermula dengan projek perintis di Runchang yang melibatkan 30 peserta Orang Asli. ECERDC telah melantik FELDA sebagai agensi pelaksanaan bagi projek Agropolitan Pekan.
Pada majlis hari ini, Najib turut menyerahkan bayaran insentif khas kepada 30 peserta Orang Asli daripada projek Agropolitan Pekan susulan kejayaan Jualan Biri-biri Dorper Secara Bidaan yang diadakan oleh ECERDC pada tahun lalu. Jualan tersebut berhasil meraih RM265,550 daripada 465 ekor biri-biri yang dijual kepada para pembida yang berjaya.
Para peserta Orang Asli di Runchang setakat ini memperolehi pendapatan sebanyak RM750 sebulan dengan hanya bekerja lima jam sehari di ladang ternakan biri-biri yang dibina oleh ECERDC. Pendapatan semasa mereka adalah tiga kali ganda lebih banyak daripada jumlah pendapatan sebulan selepas melibatkan diri dalam projek Agropolitan, kata Najib.
Dalam usaha untuk menambah lagi pendapatan peserta Agropolitan Pekan, ECERDC turut merancang untuk mengintegrasikan projek tersebut dengan pembangunan Taman Burung Walit Bersepadu di Tanjung Batu, yang merupakan taman burung walit bersepadu yang pertama seumpamanya di Malaysia, serta Projek Penternakan Ayam di Batu 8, jelas beliau.
Tambah Najib lagi, projek Agropolitan Pekan memainkan peranan penting dalam pembangunan kluster penternakan ECER, di mana ia akan muncul sebagai pengeluar biri-biri Dorper terbesar dalam sesebuah lokasi tunggal di Asia Tenggara melalui pembinaan 250 Unit Penternakan Haiwan (APU) yang akan menempatkan sejumlah 25,000 biri-biri menjelang 2015.
Projek Agropolitan Pekan juga bakal menjadi pusat untuk industri berasaskan biri-biri, seperti pemprosesan baja organik, tempat penyamakkan kulit binatang dan kulit biri-biri, dan juga daging segar untuk pasaran tempatan dan eksport, sekaligus mewujudkan lebih banyak peluang pekerjaan dan keusahawanan kepada penduduk setempat. Kewujudan industri-industri tersebut juga akan menyumbang ke arah pembangunan Taman Halal ECER di Gambang.
Sementara itu, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif ECERDC, Dato’ Jebasingam Issace John berkata projek Agropolitan merupakan sebuah projek yang unik kerana ia memfokuskan terhadap keseluruhan rantaian nilai aktiviti-aktiviti ekonomi dalam memastikan pendapatan yang tetap dan mampan untuk para peserta.
Projek tersebut turut menitikberatkan pemerkasaan diri para peserta melalui latihan secara berterusan yang dijalankan oleh Pusat Kecemerlangan ECER (COE) seperti Universiti Malaysia Kelantan dan Universiti Malaysia Pahang. Latihan-latihan tersebut mengambil pendekatan secara menyeluruh, di mana para peserta diperkayakan dengan motivasi dan kemahiran-kemahiran yang relevan dalam menyesuaikan diri mereka dengan kehidupan baru selepas menyertai projek Agropolitan.
Bagi melibatkan anak-anak para peserta Agropolitan, ECERDC turut memperkenalkan program Sinar ECER bagi mempertingkatkan kemahiran akademik dan sosial mereka.
Sinar ECER menggabungkan tiga modul iaitu kelas tuisyen untuk peperiksaan Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR), “Interactive Days” (memfokus kepada kemahiran pengucapan awam dan keyakinan diri) dan “Kids Camp” (memfokus kepada kemahiran pengurusan diri).
Seramai 160 kanak-kanak di Agropolitan Pekan menyertai program Sinar ECER, termasuklah 50 kanak-kanak Orang Asli di Runchang dan 110 kanak-kanak Agropolitan di Batu 8, Mukim Lepar. Kejayaan program ini telah pun terbukti, di mana salah seorang peserta Orang Asli di Runchang, Juyana Teor Bak Song berjaya memperolehi 5A dalam peperiksaan UPSR tahun lalu. Juyana merupakan pelajar pertama dalam sejarah sekolahnya yang mendapat semua A dalam peperiksaan tersebut dan beliau sekarang ini sedang belajar di sebuah sekolah berasrama penuh di Pahang.
Bercakap mengenai kemajuan projek, Issace berkata projek Agropolitan Pekan di Lepar setakat ini mempunyai 30 Unit Penternakan Haiwan (APU) yang menempatkan 3,000 biri-biri Dorper. Sebanyak 30 APU lagi, yang bakal menempatkan 3,000 ekor lagi biri-biri Dorper, kini sedang dibina dan akan siap pada Julai 2012.
Bagi projek Agropolitan di Runchang pula, 30 peserta Orang Asli sedang bekerja di 11 APU, dengan 24 APU lagi sedang dalam pembinaan dan dijangka akan siap sebelum akhir tahun ini, akui beliau.
Bagi projek Agropolitan Pekan di Tanjung Batu, pembinaan 213 buah rumah yang dilengkapi dengan kemudahan awam dijangka akan bermula pada Februari 2012. Para peserta Agropolitan di Tanjung Batu akan terlibat dalam perladangan kelapa sawit sebagai aktiviti utama dan penternakan burung walit sebagai aktiviti sekunder.
Mengulas mengena kemajuan projek-projek Agropolitan ECER di negeri-negeri lain pula, Issace berkata ECERDC sedang membina 350 rumah-rumah baru untuk para keluarga di Gua Musang di bawah Projek Agropolitan Kelantan Selatan. Mereka dijadualkan bakal berpindah ke rumah baru pada Julai 2011.
Di bawah Agropolitan Besut-Setiu, pembinaan 100 rumah dan 52 unit APU untuk penternakan kambing Boer telah bermula pada September 2010. Di bawah Fasa 1 projek tersebut, 38 buah rumah dan 20 APU untuk kambing Boer serta kawasan rumput untuk makanan binatang dijangka akan siap pada Ogos ini. Keseluruhan projek tersebut dijangka akan siap menjelang awal 2010, menurut Issace.
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