Sabah CM Hajiji Noor highlights Gerald Wong’s ASEAN award win as a model for youth in community-driven modern agriculture.
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has called on Sabah’s youth to emulate the success of ASEAN award winner Gerald Wong.
Hajiji expressed pride that Wong’s selection for the 7th ASEAN Rural Development and Poverty Eradication Leadership Award brought honour to the state and nation.
He said the founder and CEO of Farm Tokou has shown Sabahans can compete and lead in regional rural development.
“Gerald’s success should serve as an example, especially for Sabah’s youth, that diligence and commitment to community development can gain international recognition,” Hajiji stated.
Wong was among 20 award recipients honoured at a ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand on December 12.
The deputy prime minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, witnessed the presentation.
Wong attributed the award to a collective effort with rural communities engaged in modern agriculture.
Initiatives like hydroponics and aquaponics are backed by skills training and economic development programmes.
These programmes help generate sustainable supplementary income for participants.
Farm Tokou currently operates in the Telupid and Penampang districts.
Since 2023, it has guided over 100 rural communities across 10 districts including Sook, Ranau, Kudat, and Papar.
“This award belongs to all the communities who believe in modern agriculture as a catalyst for rural economic development,” said Wong.
