“Jom Sapot Local Fruits” Programme Launched

2 February 2026

KOTA KINABALU: The “Jom Sapot Local Fruits” programme was launched today in E West Luyang as an initiative to promote the consumption of locally grown fruits, encourage healthier eating habits, and support local farmers.

The programme was officiated by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security and Member of Parliament for Kota Kinabalu, Datuk Chan Foong Hin.

Speaking at the event, he said the initiative was organised by his Kota Kinabalu Parliamentary Service Centre and aligned with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s campaign to increase the consumption of local fruits, implemented in collaboration with the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) since July 2025.

Chan noted that Federal and State Government agencies have been encouraged to serve local fruits at official events as a show of support for domestic agricultural produce. He added that the initiative had previously been launched at Parliament in collaboration with the Federation of Malaysian Fruit Farmers’ Associations (FMFFA).

In Sabah, the programme has received strong support from various stakeholders, including FAMA, the Sabah Durian and Tropical Fruit Growers Association (MaSDa) and Aqina Fruits.

Touching on development allocations, Chan said that under the 2026 Budget, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security received a total allocation of RM6.87 billion, with RM2.04 billion earmarked for development expenditure nationwide. Of this, RM86.43 million has been allocated to Sabah for 51 projects to be implemented or continued in 2026.

The projects comprise 39 new initiatives valued at RM61.30 million and 12 continuation projects amounting to RM25.14 million. Key beneficiary agencies include the Sabah Fisheries Department (RM14 million), the Sabah Veterinary Services Department (RM25.73 million) and the Sabah Department of Agriculture (RM18.1 million).

Chan said the Federal Government remains committed to strengthening the agricultural sector in Sabah through strategic planning, coordinated development efforts, monitoring of project implementation and continuous improvement.

He stressed the importance of close coordination between the Federal and State Governments to ensure that development projects deliver direct benefits to farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen.

He also highlighted ongoing engagement with the Sabah State Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, Datuk Jamawi Jaafar, aimed at strengthening cooperation and aligning policy directions between the two levels of government.

Chan also referred to the recent launch of the National Food Security Policy 2030 (DKMN 2030), which outlines strategies and action plans to transform the agri-food sector and ensure national food security. The policy targets a 1.5 per cent value-added growth in the agricultural sector by 2030 under the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan, supported by a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

Chan emphasised that food security requires not only increased production but also effective policy coordination and integrated implementation across agencies.

He expressed confidence that continued collaboration would ensure Sabah’s agri-food sector remains resilient and competitive.