KOTA KINABALU: Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (KUSKOP) Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick announced an allocation of RM100,000 for the Kanibongan Swiftlet Cooperative Group yesterday (Feb 9) to build a swiftlet bird's nest processing centre in Kampung Sinukab Kanibongan, Pitas.
Ewon hopes that the allocation channelled through the Cooperative Commission of Malaysia (SKM), an agency under the Ministry, will be able to assist the cooperative and its members to increase their income.
"I am confident that effectively managing and operating this swiftlet enterprise can generate income for cooperative members," he said in a statement yesterday (Feb 9).
Earlier, he visited the cooperative's Mini Swiftlet Bird's Nest Processing Centre, accompanied by Kudat Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Verdon Bahanda, Sabah SKM director Matias Kundapin and local community leaders.
Meanwhile, Kanibongan Swiftlet Cooperative chairman Rosli Sulampung expressed gratitude to Ewon for the RM100,000 allocation to build a swiftlet bird's nest processing factory.
"This support is crucial for our cooperative's progress and the financial well-being of our 145 members," he said.
Earlier, Ewon was briefed on the swiftlet bird's nest industry in Sabah, specifically in Kanibongan by Department of Veterinary Services, Swiftlet and Livestock Unit head Jobit Sulangi.
Jobit said swiftlet bird's nests fetch lucrative prices, with the Sarang Mangkuk category priced at RM3,700 per kilogramme, Patahan Besar at RM2,900, and Kaki Sarang at RM1,900.
During his visit to Pitas yesterday (Feb 9), Ewon also toured the Avasi Kanibongan Hostel and later officiated the Youth Empowerment and Family Welfare Programme, which includes entrepreneurship lectures by agencies under the ministry.
The programme, organised by Bank Rakyat Foundation (YBR) in collaboration with Koperasi Keluarga Mailin Masipin Kanibongan Berhad was held at Kampung Pantai Kanibongan Futsal Hall. — BERNAMA
