RM4.5mil for research on the Empurau Fish (Malaysian Mahseer) in Sarawak.

BETONG: The Federal Government has approved RM4.5mil for research on the empurau (Malaysian Mahseer(LINK)), a freshwater fish that is almost extinct in Sarawak.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced this at a meet-the-people session held at the futsal court in Spaoh town, about 50km from here yesterday.

“This is to enable the fish to be enjoyed not only by the people of Sarawak but also in the peninsula when it can be harvested in larger quantities later,” he said.

The empurau is a much sought-after fish and very expensive, with the price for 3kg reaching between RM2,800 and RM3,000.

Environmental pollution has caused the fish to become almost extinct.

At the function attended by more than 1,000 residents of Spaoh, Najib said the Federal Government had made huge allocations for development in Sarawak, including RM5.7bil under the National Key Result Areas for 2010-2012.