Commercialization of Sago through Estate Plantation Scheme in Sarawak: The Way Forward

Sago has been hailed as a next viable commodity in Sarawak, Malaysia, given its potential as a versatile crop. Realising its potential, Sarawak state government has started initiatives to stimulate sago plantation from subsistence farming to estate plantation. The move of introducing sago estate plantation is a bold one considering that Malaysia is the first country introducing such plantation design. This is a reflection on sago estate plantation in the state of Sarawak. It is observed that, in order to ensure success of the plantation scheme, factors such as rigorous land consolidation programme aiming to maximize sago production; introduction of a modern planting method that integrates well with the traditional planting method; rigorous scientific research in finding the best sago variety that produces high yield; effective communication between related agencies and smallholders; and concentrated involvement of all actors, governmental agencies, mills, and smallholders, have to be addressed accordingly. To conclude, it is hoped that this writing can be utilized as part of a contribution to accelerating commercialization of sago as a next viable commodity crop not only in Sarawak but in Southeast Asia as a whole

Do minimum wages reduce employment? A case study of Sarawak's service sector

This paper examines the impact of minimum wages using a survey data of services sector in Sarawak. Dependent t-test and regression analysis were conducted to determine the impact of minimum wages on employment. Although minimum wages increased salary, but the impact on employment is very small. Most of the findings do not support minimum wages reduce employment, in contrast with competitive labour market prediction

Changes of gender relations in Kuching Malay Household.

This research note analyses the connection between the influences of broader social changes such as the family circles, education and employment, media and Islamic teaching on young Malay women’s experiences of domestic work and their evaluation of changing gender roles in the performance of domestic work. The 20 young women who participated in this study all live in or around Kuching, and between the ages of 19 and 27 years. A questionnaire and structured-interview are employed in order to identify and explore young women’s evaluations and expectations of changes of gender relations in marriage and family. There are three main findings of the study. First, household work is organised around a distinction between inside and outside chores, and in relation to this, the preponderance of inside household chores are routinely performed by women, outside chores are performed predominantly by men. Second, there is evidence that men have more leeway and choice about the extent to which they perform household tasks. Third, there is evidence that men are slowly increasing their participation in ‘inside’ domestic work, especially after they have grown up. A few of the young women believe that the existing gender division of domestic labour should be preserved, but at the same time encouraging men’s participation in domestic works. However, some of them think it is old-fashioned and should be rejected as they are now in employment

Commercialization of Sago through Estate Plantation Scheme in Sarawak: The Way Forward

Sago has been hailed as a next viable commodity in Sarawak, Malaysia, given its potential as a versatile crop. Realising its potential, Sarawak state government has started initiatives to stimulate sago plantation from subsistence farming to estate plantation. The move of introducing sago estate plantation is a bold one considering that Malaysia is the first country introducing such plantation design. This is a reflection on sago estate plantation in the state of Sarawak. It is observed that, in order to ensure success of the plantation scheme, factors such as rigorous land consolidation programme aiming to maximize sago production; introduction of a modern planting method that integrates well with the traditional planting method; rigorous scientific research in finding the best sago variety that produces high yield; effective communication between related agencies and smallholders; and concentrated involvement of all actors, governmental agencies, mills, and smallholders, have to be addressed accordingly. To conclude, it is hoped that this writing can be utilized as part of a contribution to accelerating commercialization of sago as a next viable commodity crop not only in Sarawak but in Southeast Asia as a whole