Tenom: State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar has expressed dismay over thefts of public property in the district, including cables from a paddy irrigation system in Kg Makakumpai and steel drain covers around Pekan Tenom.
He called on the public to report any information on such activities to the police, and urged the authorities to keep a close watch on scrap metal dealers to ensure they do not buy stolen goods.
Jamawi said the theft in Kg Makakumpai was particularly disappointing because the cables were stolen after repair works on the irrigation system had been completed to allow farmers to resume planting.
He said this to reporters after the Lantern Parade and Mooncake Festival Celebration Night 2026 here on Friday.
“When it was completed and tested, it gave farmers relief and they could start planting padi again.
“However, the system’s cables were cut and stolen recently. This is an incident that I find extremely disappointing,” he said.
He said the previous government had approved funds to upgrade the irrigation system, buy new pumps and reorganise the system, after the paddy fields could not be cultivated for about eight to 10 years due to faulty pumps and irrigation infrastructure.
Jamawi said the thefts were not limited to farming areas, as steel plates used as drain covers around Pekan Tenom were also reported stolen.
He urged the public, particularly local residents, to come forward with information so that the police could take swift action.
At the same time, he wanted the authorities to pay attention to premises that buy scrap metal, to ensure that no party purchased items believed to have been obtained through theft.
The district office and local authorities should also take firm action against premises found to be buying stolen public property, including shutting down their operations if proven to be involved, he added.
