Belawai, 25 May 2025 – Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), in collaboration with the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO (MNCU), recently conducted a technical community training program titled “Jom Merjah Kupas!”—Melanau for “Let’s Smoke Shrimp!”—from 24 to 25 May 2025 at the newly developed Pusat Pemprosesan Sesar Unjur in Tanjung Manis. The program introduced a modern, sustainable approach to producing Sesar Unjur, Sarawak’s traditional smoked shrimp delicacy. It was supported by the World Wildlife Fund World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia), Sarawak Branch and Dr. Abang Mohamad Nizam Abang Kamaruddin served as the trainer, alongside seasoned Sesar Unjur artisan Puan Fatimah Lain, a community expert with over 40 years of experience in the craft.
Sesar Unjur is a seasonal, high-value product, fetching up to RM180 per kilogram in local markets. The version produced along the Belawai–Rajang–Paloh stretch is especially prized for its distinct smoky aroma, traditionally achieved using firewood from local mangrove species. However, the conventional smoking process lacks temperature and smoke control, leading to excessive timber harvesting during peak season and raising concerns over its impact on mangrove sustainability.
The Belawai–Rajang–Paloh mangrove ecosystem is not only vital to the livelihood of the local community but is also home to various coastal wildlife species, including the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin. The seasonal surge in Sesar Unjur production places immense pressure on the ecosystem, risking premature and unsustainable logging of mangrove wood, which disrupts biodiversity and threatens long-term ecological stability. In response, WWF-Malaysia reached out to UNIMAS for an engineering-based solution. The Faculty of Engineering responded with a design tailored to preserve both heritage and habitat.
This initiative is the result of a multi-phase collaboration that began in 2021. The Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) awarded a technology development grant to UNIMAS to develop an alternative, eco-friendly smoking machine. Under this funding, the Faculty of Engineering, led by Dr. Abang Mohammad Nizam Abang Kamaruddin, developed a prototype system with improved heat and smoke control technologies.
Building on this foundation, WWF-Malaysia funded the establishment of the Pusat Pemprosesan Sesar Unjur and supported further research into smoke processing to ensure the quality of smoked shrimp. This phase of the project was led by Dr. Annisa Jamali. The Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO later provided financial support for the “Jom Merjah Kupas!” community training program, which was held in conjunction with the official handover of the processing centre. The training component was coordinated by Ir. Dr. Lidyana Roslan.
Under the leadership of Dr. Annisa Jamali, Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation, the Faculty developed and deployed SMOKAHs (Smoking Automation with Hybrid-heat Sources), a modular smoking system powered by electricity and/or solar energy. SMOKAHs integrates multiple heat and smoke sources within a controlled chamber, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and unsustainably harvested wood while preserving the authentic flavours of Sesar Unjur.
Piloted in communities from Tebelu to Igan, SMOKAHs is now recognised as a viable solution for preserving traditional food practices in a sustainable way. The machine significantly reduces processing time—from a full day to just 3–4 hours—and produces shrimp that complies with European Commission Food Standards, with significantly lower Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) levels compared to traditional methods.
According to the team’s certified Greenhouse Gas Professional, Ir. Ts. Dr. Lidyana Roslan, SMOKAHs also achieves up to 80% reduction in carbon emissions. A single smoking cycle consumes only 1–2 kg of mangrove wood, compared to 20.72 kg used in conventional methods to process the same quantity (16 kg) of Sesar Unjur—a breakthrough in both environmental conservation and production efficiency.
The program concluded with a symbolic handover ceremony of the Pusat Pemprosesan Sesar Unjur to Pemanca Tuan Haji Morshidi Ali, representing Koperasi Belawai Mukah Berhad. The handover was officiated by Tanjung Manis District Officer, Tuan Ismail Kasah, and witnessed by key representatives including Professor Dr. Awang Ahmad Sallehin Awang Husaini, Director of UNIMAS Centre for Research, Development, Innovation, Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship (RDICE); Dr. Khairul Hafiz Sharkawi, Head of Research and Development at SDEC; and Puan Ailyn Nau Sidu, Senior Manager (Landscape) at WWF-Malaysia.
The Pusat Pemprosesan Sesar Unjur is set to become a community hub—a launchpad for youth and aspiring entrepreneurs in the fisheries and traditional food sector. Under the facilitation of Koperasi Belawai Mukah Berhad, it will serve as both a training centre and revenue-generation facility for the local community, ensuring that tradition and sustainability continue hand in hand for generations to come.
Prepared by Ir. Ts. Dr. Lidyana Roslan (Project Leader, Jom Merjah Kupas!) & Dr Annisa Jamali