KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has no plans to develop the guarana industry in the state.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said therefore the public should stay away from any scheme that promotes the plant.
Kitingan explained that guarana, which is native to South America, is classified as a 'dangerous' plant due to its vulnerability to the South American Leaf Blight (SALB).
"Any new agriculture product to be introduced in Sabah must go through the research, development and commercialisation processes first.
"And guarana has not undergone any of these processes," said Kitingan in response to a WhatsApp message announcing the second phase of distribution of guarana seeds to some 20 people in Keningau.
According to the message, each guarana tree is sold at RM50 and the amount must be paid within three days before the expected distribution day on Jan 31.
SALB is one of the most destructive diseases in plants which is presently confined mainly to South America and the Carribean Islands.
The disease has damaged a large portion of the rubber industry in South America and Central America, and Sabah, which has 195,000 hectares of rubber plantation, could not afford to risk the disease crippling its important rubber industry.
Kitingan, who is also the state Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, said as a component of the Malaysia's National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO), Sabah has the responsibility to safeguard the sensitivity and interests of neighbouring Southeast Asian countries where rubber is the main crop.
Any importation of high-risk plants like guarana must go through stringent screening procedures to protect existing industries in the region.
"The Agriculture Department has never given permission for guarana to be imported by anyone.
"The Brazilian government, through its Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Food Supply, has also informed other countries that it does not allow the export of guarana seeds or fruits.
"Therefore, I would urge the public not to entertain any company that offers to cultivate guarana in Sabah on their lands," he advised.