BEAUFORT: August 8, 2026 – The shrimp farming industry in Kampung Bintuka is poised for significant growth following a proposed RM1 million electricity supply upgrade, according to an official.
Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Sabah, Datuk Ruslan Muharam, said a new transformer is needed to meet the power demands of approximately 100 to 150 shrimp ponds.
“We will make efforts to secure an allocation from the state government, in addition to reviewing the use of ministry funds, to realise the installation of this transformer to help shrimp farmers in Kampung Bintuka.
“With a more stable electricity supply, production costs can be reduced, allowing operators to offer more competitive prices to consumers,” he said.
He said this after attending a programme to release 400,000 shrimp fry, worth RM10,000 and donated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry (MAFFI), at Kampung Bintuka on Thursday.
According to him, the insufficient electricity supply forces most operators to rely on diesel generators, which in turn drives up production costs.
The ministry also plans to provide cold storage facilities to maintain the freshness of the produce, as well as packaging spaces to increase the added value of the products.
Currently, six to eight operators are involved in shrimp farming in Kampung Bintuka, with some managing up to 10 ponds each, generating an income of over RM2 million per year.
Source: Malaysian Information Department
