Export waiver on several species from fish farms
Published on: Saturday, February 13, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: Several species of live cultured fish (100 per cent aquaculture) will be allowed to be exported, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin (pic).He said among the species allowed were Tiger Grouper and Giant Grouper."The live fish industry has provided employment for locals while assisting in the balance of trade," he said in a statement, Friday.
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Yahya, who is also State Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries, said this when clarifying on the fresh seafood export ban he announced recently.He said the export ban on live fish and fresh/chilled fish was intended to ensure that fresh fish supplies were adequately available for local Sabahans and foreign tourists in the State.He said with the ban, Sabahans can enjoy quality fresh fish at a lower price. However, the ban did not cover frozen fish and processed fish (fish fillet, etc).Peninsular Malaysia is the main market for exports with 65 per cent of fresh fish exported there.
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The fish species exported fresh were small pelagics (Japanese scad or Basung), Indian mackerel (rumahan) and sardines (tamban), yellowfin and bigeye tuna, red snapper and grouper.In another development Friday, Sri Tanjong Assemblyman Chan Foong Hin criticised Yahya as being "arrogant" and "ignorant" in his handling of the live seafood export ban issue.
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He urged Yahya to step down from his portfolio as "he failed to develop the seafood industry", adding that Yahya's drastic decision to ban the live seafood from export has disturbed the market confidence."The statement by Yahya that there is no need to consult everyone before implementing any policy as he is the minister in charge, demonstrated his poor leadership quality. "It is arrogance of power. Does he realise that he needs to get the people's mandate to continue to stay in power? Even the Deputy Prime Minister had to defer the foreign workers levy after the decision invited opposition from various industries. "He realises that the Government needs to have consultations with all kind of stakeholders. "How can Yahya forget his duty to develop the food industry but simply show his arrogance?" said Chan.Chan also questioned why Yahya should refer the live seafood ban issue to the State Cabinet if he has done so before he made the announcement? "This means the decision to ban live seafood export is made unilaterally by him alone, which is not even known by his colleagues in the State Cabinet."Can our Sabah State Cabinet tolerate this kind of 'Lone Ranger' attitude demonstrated by a non team player? Are bureaucrats like LKIM (Fisheries Development Authority Malaysia) supporting his proposal to ban live seafood? Chan said the seafood export industry is an important industry for Sabah where every year about 130,000 metric tonnes of seafood worth RM800 million is exported from the State."Any policy drawn should be studied in detail before implementing it. Drastic decision to ban the live seafood export would only hurt the State economy."Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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