LABUAN, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s tuna industry is fast emerging as a high-impact segment within the nation’s fisheries sector, contributing significantly to the country’s seafood output and maritime economy, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.
He said the industry encompasses a wide range of activities, from tuna catching and landing to processing, packaging, cold storage, and marketing, creating an extensive value chain that benefits local entrepreneurs and strengthens Malaysia’s competitiveness in the global market.
“As one of the strategic sectors in maritime economic development, the tuna industry not only adds value to national marine resources but also generates income for local entrepreneurs, expands job opportunities, and enhances Malaysia’s standing in international trade,” he said at the Welcoming Dinner for Participants of the Labuan Tuna Conference 2025 held at the Financial Park Convention Hall tonight.
Arthur said the government remains committed to strengthening the tuna industry as part of the broader national fisheries agenda, ensuring sustainability, food security, and economic inclusivity across all maritime regions of the country. He emphasised that the industry’s success depends on effective collaboration between the federal and state agencies, the private sector, and local communities in developing value-added products and maintaining environmental balance.
He highlighted that Labuan plays a pivotal role as an emerging hub for the tuna industry, positioned strategically in the heart of Borneo’s maritime corridor. The island’s development, he said, is not only designed to benefit the local community but also to generate economic spillover effects for neighbouring regions across Borneo.
He added that Labuan is progressing with a new focus on blue and circular economy strategies, which include the establishment of an integrated industrial park and improved telecommunication infrastructure, all aligned with Labuan’s vision of becoming a “smart island.” “These initiatives are expected to act as catalysts for regional economic growth while supporting strategic infrastructure projects such as the proposed bridge link, integrated ports, and modern logistics facilities,” he said.
He highlighted that under the Labuan Structure Plan 2040 (RS Labuan 2040), the government has identified the strengthening of agriculture and fisheries as key pillars of food security, with tuna development forming part of Malaysia’s new high-potential economic sector.
Projects such as the LKIM Labuan Fisheries Complex and the proposed tuna-based industrial development in the integrated industrial park, he said, are strategic moves to enhance the fisheries ecosystem and position Labuan as the country’s main tuna industry hub.
“With strong collaboration between the Labuan Corporation and the Department of Fisheries Malaysia, I am confident Labuan will become a major strategic gateway for the national tuna industry. I understand several strategic development initiatives are being planned by the Labuan Corporation to reinforce Labuan’s position as a competitive and high-impact maritime territory,” he said.
Arthur also called on entrepreneurs and industry players to innovate tuna-based products to reduce import dependence, increase exports, and capture a share of the lucrative global tuna market. “At the same time, food safety and compliance with standards such as halal, good manufacturing practices (GMP), and the hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) must be prioritised…modern technology adoption will improve product quality and competitiveness, helping Malaysia penetrate international markets,” he added.
He also expressed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s full support for the ongoing initiatives by the Department of Fisheries and Labuan Corporation to strengthen collaboration across the food supply chain, particularly in Labuan.
--BERNAMA
