Welcome Rakan Sarawak June 2005

Rangkaian Khidmat Awam Negeri Sarawak

A MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF RAKAN SARAWAK BULLETIN

(People, events, activities and programmes which make for a total quality-managed Sarawak Civil Service)

ISSN 1394-5726

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Retiring Policemen Urge to Venture into Food Business

“Local fruits, such as pineapple have the potential to go international if
marketed properly,” – Wan Junaidi

Policemen retiring from the force should spend their retirement days doing something worthwhile, for example venturing into food business. Although many of them continue working in uniforms, such as working in a security company, that however does not mean, it’s the only choice these ex-policemen have.

Vice-President of the Malaysian Ex-Police Association, Sarawak branch, Datuk Haji Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, said, retiring from the force does not mean, one could not work anymore, or one could only find work which related to armed forces, for example, in the security line.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of food processing demonstration and a dialogue session for entrepreneurs at MARDI office here recently, Wan Junaidi said that venturing into food industry could give the pensioner a much better extra income, apart from their pension money.

Apparently, almost 80% of ex-armed forces members are involved in security business. Whilst, the food industry is indeed in dire need of serious entrepreneurs, he encouraged that they should switch their mindset to doing something different and take up food industry as their next income generation.

“It may not be an instance cash reward, as you need to invest first in such business, but if you do it right with a reasonable objective, you will enjoy the fruitful result from this business,” he said.

Based on his experience as an ex-armed forces member, he recalled that most ex-policemen and their spouses were good in agriculture, especially in maze plantation.

As for financial assistance, Wan Junaidi advised the ex- policemen to make use of the various financial facilities provided by the government, wisely.


Tuan Haji Minhad Salleh explains to Wan Junaidi on the functions of the food processing machine	Some of the local products being displayed at MARDI

“When you apply for bank loans, you must remember that once approved, you are obliged to repay all the necessary amount to the banks. Whatever you earn within the period of borrowing the bank’s money is not yours yet, until the time you have finally repaid your loan,” he reminded. MARDI (Malaysian Agriculture, Research and Development Institute) offers its technical and consultation support to those who are interested in venturing into food industry.

It conducts courses, dialogues as well as training to those who wish to be seriously involved the business and provide guidance on how to go about. On the food processing demonstration and dialogue session, Wan Junaidi presented certificates of participation to some 25 members of the association who were mostly retiring from the police force and those who have retired.

Pointing out that age is no barrier to gain new knowledge, Wan Junaidi was happy to note that gradually, more ex-policemen are moving towardsaccepting the challenges in venturing into food industry.

He was confident that with years of multi-experience in the force, especially in self-discipline, those venturing into such business could success.

Meanwhile, State’s MARDI director, Tuan Haji Minhad b. Salleh who spoke earlier on said, MARDI has planned to conduct such similar activity – food processing demonstration and a dialogue session with entrepreneurs, for at least once in two months.

He welcomed members of the police association who have taken up courses offered by MARDI, to encourage their colleagues who are going to retire to venture into food industry, as MARDI is prepared to give guidance.

It was learnt that the 25 participants were shown on how to process sauce using modern techniques involving food processing machines and they were the first batch of the ex-police association to have done so.