DPMM SABAH TOLD TO CAPITALISE ON HALAL FOOD NEED BY CHINA'S MUSLIMS

KOTA KINABALU, April 30 (Bernama) -- The Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia
(DPMM) Sabah has been encouraged to invest in the halal food industry where
there is a growing demand in China.

Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said apart from halal food, DPMM
Sabah should also venture into tourism in view of the increasing number of
Chinese visitors coming to the state.

"Build hotels, not necessarily five-star, just two or three-star, and set up
homestay," he told reporters after opening the chamber's 13th annual general
meeting here Saturday.

He said the visit by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Malaysia on April 28 was
very fruitful, culminating in an undertaking to increase among others, trade and
investment between both countries.

Anifah also told DPMM Sabah members that they must transform themselves to
be bold in asking for the support they wanted to ensure success of their
businesses.

"Nothing comes easy. It's an uphill task no doubt. But otherwise,
opportunities will pass you by and you will be left behind," he said.

He said it was worrisome to see businesses in Sabah being taken up by
outsiders.

"For example, less than 10 percent of Bumiputera entrepreneurs are involved
in the oil palm industry. No Bumiputera company is involved directly in the
billion ringgit property industry. I worry that one day we will be foreigners
in our own business realm," he said.

Meanwhile, Anifah presented the DPMM Entrepreneur Award 2010 to Dayang
Nuripah Awang Tinggal, 44, from Putatan and Manjor Mastan, 56, from Tawau
(Usahawan).