Sarawak plans to stabilise livestock prices – Premier

KUCHING: The Sarawak Government has identified measures to effectively stabilise the prices of livestock including cattle.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg noted that the prices of cattle in the state are relatively higher as compared to other regions.

“Yesterday (June 16), I was in Gedong… And I have a plan for next year, where we can stabilise the prices of cattle and our livestock.

“However, I will announce it later,” he said this to reporters after attending the Aidiladha Thanksgiving Ceremony organised by the Sarawak Islamic Council (SIC) at the Hikmah Hall, Petra Jaya today (June 17).

Abang Johari was responding to queries on whether Sarawak has plans to import cattle from abroad.

On the Aidiladha celebration, he expressed gladness that it is held in a peaceful and harmonious manner.

“I have been informed that many of our mosques and surau are filled, and numerous sacrificial ceremonies are being conducted across various mosques and surau.

“I understand that 1,240 animals have been sacrificed, mostly cattle. This reflects that the Muslim community in Sarawak has the ability to perform the sacrifice ritual, even though the prices (of cattle) in Sarawak are higher compared to other areas.

“But this demonstrates that our community is capable of fulfilling the obligations of the ‘ibadah korban’ (Islamic ritual sacrifice),” he said.

Earlier, three cattle were sacrificed during the ceremony of which the sacrificial meat was later distributed to 100 recipients from the needy group in Kuching Division.

Overall, the registered sacrificial ceremonies in the Kuching Division this year were held at 63 locations, involving mosques, surau, and several agencies.

A total of 88 cattle were sacrificed, and the sacrificial meat will be distributed to more than 1,000 recipients.

Earlier, among those present to witness the sacrificial ritual were Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Premier’s wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, and SIC president Datuk Misnu Taha.