Sarawak to increase red tilapia fish farms to meet Singapore's demand

SIBU, Nov 23 -- Sarawak will increase the number of red tilapia fish farms in the state to meet the high demand from Singapore.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state had exported 12 tonnes of red tilapia fish to the republic last month.

Describing its as the first time in Sarawak's history, Abang Johari said the red tilapia fish from the state received a favourable response as it tasted better.

“Sarawak red tilapia fish are being reared in the hydroelectric dam, therefore they don’t have that muddy taste. So we will rear the red tilapia fish in the Bakun and Murum dams to increase the output for export to Singapore,” he said.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony of the Azman Hashim Community Sports Complex in Sibu Jaya today, he said the red tilapia fish currently being reared at the Batang Ai Hydroelectric dam in Sri Aman.

The Borneo Eco Fish, the largest tilapia fish breeder in the state with 3,000 cages in the Batang Ai dam, also holds a halal certificate issued by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and the certificate of the Good Agriculture Practices, he said.

-- BERNAMA