Sarawak State Assembly approves establishment of padi and rice board bill after 31 members take part in the debate

KUCHING, May 12 2926: The Sarawak State Assembly (SLA) today has approved the  Sarawak Padi and Rice Board (SPRB) Bill, 2026 after 31  members took part in the debate.

Caption: Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Devepment Minister Dr Stephen Rundie Utom  tabling the Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill 2026 

Winding the debate, Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dr Stephen Rundie Utom said he takes notes of their suggestions and ideas for the board to consider.

"The suggestions and ideas will help the board in implementing its functions," he said.

He assured that the board will operate with integrity and dignity. 

Tabling the Bill, he said it seeks to design to empower Sarawak to manage, develop, and sustain its padi and rice industry for the benefit of the people, both now and for generations to come.

"Recognizing the importance of regulating the padi and rice industry, Sarawak seeks to establish a dedicated State Agency to oversee and drive the sustainable development of padi cultivation and rice production, " Dr Rundie said.

He stressed that the Bill seeks to introduce a comprehensive legal framework to facilitate a State-led transformation of the padi and rice industry.

He also said the Bill seeks to empower the board to issue licenses, collect fees, appoint agents and experts, promote research, develop marketing strategies, commercialize the research findings, protect the interests of the padi and rice industry.

He added the  Bill to empower the board to declare any area of State land as “Padi Development Area” subject to such terms and conditions.

Dr Rundie said the Bill also provides for enforcement and investigation powers, whereby authorized officers may enforce the provisions of this Ordinance by investigating offences, accessing computerized data, seizing and disposing of padi, rice or related equipment.

"Offences include, among others, the making of false information, and obstruction of authorized officers, " he said.

Dr Rundie emphasised that the provisions under the Bill are intended to complement the existing federal framework, particularly in strengthening the state’s role in the development, coordination and enhancement of the padi and rice industry within Sarawak.

"This Bill is intended to operate in tandem with the existing legal and regulatory framework, complementing current laws and policies in advancing national food security, with particular emphasis on the needs of Sarawak.

"It shall not contravene or supersede any provision of Federal law, and is designed to function within the State’s constitutional and legislative competence, focusing on areas such as production planning, distribution management, farmer development, and monitoring systems, " he stressed.

He said that Bill seeks to provide a legal platform for the State to exercise these functions and may, where appropriate, accommodate the delegation of powers from the Federal Government

He added the board will comprise a chairman, deputy chairman, key government officials, and not more than five  other members with appropriate experience, knowledge and expertise in the padi and rice industry from the upstream and the downstream sector of the industry.

“The Bill also provides for the appointment of a general manager, who will be responsible for the proper administration and day-to-day management of the board’s functions and affairs, thereby ensuring the effective implementation of the board’s mandate.

4,694 students have registered for FTES as of March 31, says deputy education minister

KUCHING, May 12 2026: A total of 4,694 students have registered for the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) scheme as of March 31 this year, Deputy Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Dr Annuar Rapa'ee has said. 

Caption: Deputy Minister Dr Annuar Rapa'ee says that 1,433 existing students declined to accept the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES)  

 
He said 172 students have registered with  I-CATS University College, 543  with Curtin University Malaysia, Sarawak campus, 1,959 with Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak campus, and 2020 with University of Technology Sarawak. 

"The total number includes those existing students,"  he said when replying to questions from Shafiee Ahmad (GPS - Daro) during Question and Answer session at Sarawak State Legislative Assembly today.

Dr Annuar said total number of students receiving FTES is expected to increase to about 10,000 with the June and September intakes. 

He said 1,433 existing student, who are in their year, declined to accept the offer of FTES. 

"They have valid reasons, including tying to contracts with other bodies,"  he said. 

Dr Annuar assured the state government will continue with FTES as it is in a strong financial position. 
He added this is shown in the continued yearly  surplus budget. 

Moreover, he said, the state's gross domestic products (GDP) per capita have grown over the years. 

He added Sarawak is now recognised as a high income state by the World Bank.

Shafiee has wanted to know of students who have registered for FTES and the number of students who declined to accept the off

YB Yakub Arbi moans over the gradual loss of padi lands to oil palm plantations

KUCHING, May 12 2026: Balingian State Legislative Member (SLM) Abdul Yakub Arbi has expressed concern over the gradual loss of padi lands being converted into oil palm plantations.

 

Balingian  SLM Abdul Yakub Arbi expresses concern over the loss of padi lands to oil palm plantations

“Such issue deserves serious attention,” he said during the debate on the Sarawak and Padi Board Bill,2026 at the Sarawak State Legislative Member (SLM) today. 

“Today, many traditional padi cultivation areas are being converted into oil palm plantations and other developments,” he said. 

“While oil palm has undoubtedly contributed significantly to Sarawak’s economy,  must also recognise that food-producing land is a strategic asset that cannot simply be replaced once lost. 

“If we fail to protect our padi lands today, future generations may inherit economic growth, but face greater food insecurity. 

“That is why the provision under the Bill allowing the declaration of “Padi Development Areas” is extremely important. 

“It allows the state government to identify, preserve, and develop suitable areas specifically for padi cultivation in a more organised and sustainable manner. 

“This is not only about agriculture. This is about safeguarding Sarawak’s long-term food security,” Abdul Yakub said. 

He noted that the Bill recognises the importance of research, innovation, and technology.

However, he said climate change is already affecting rainfall patterns, water supply, and crop productivity.

He also noted that the board is empowered under the Bill to conduct, assist, and promote research and development activities, as well as commercialise research findings for the benefit of the industry.

“This is the direction we must move towards. Digital agriculture, precision farming, drone technology, smart irrigation systems, and climate-resilient rice varieties should become part of Sarawak’s agricultural transformation agenda.

“Agriculture today cannot remain dependent solely on traditional methods. If we want our younger generation to return to agriculture, we must show them that modern farming can be profitable, technology-driven, and full of future potential,” he said.

Batang Lupar area posseses enormous potential as food security hub, but infrastructure remains one of critical weaknesses. says Lingga SLM

KUCHING, May 12 2026: Lingga State Legislative Member (SLM) Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor stressed that Batang Lupar area possesses enormous strategic potential to become one of the state’s important food security hubs. 

Lingga SLM Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor says IADA report stated that parts of Bijat/Stumbin Phase 2  project remain under design review and expected to be completed by 2030 

“However, we must also honestly acknowledge that the current production of performance of Integrated Agriculture Development Authority (IADA) Batang Lupar still remains lower at 3.43 mt/ha in 2023/2024 for for the first season while outside the season, production reached 4.47 mt/ha. compared to more established rice-producing areas such as Lubok Punggur andTanjung Purun,” she said during the debate on the Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill, 2026 at the State Legislative Assembly (SLA).

 According to the IADA Batang Lupar Development Plan 2021–2030, she said one of the major focuses identified is “Pembangunan Infrastruktur Pengairan dan Saliran yang lengkap secara berfasa.”

“This itself proves that infrastructure remains one of the critical weaknesses affecting the success of the project,” Dayang Noorazah said.

She said the report also clearly shows that several major infrastructure projects remain under phased implementation across 12 Malaysia Plan (12MP) and 13 Malaysia Plan (13MP), involving irrigation systems, tertiary drainage, farm roads, pumping systems and water management infrastructure.  

“Even more concerning, according to the development plan for Bijat/Stumbin Phase 2 involving Seduku, the report stated that parts of the project remain under design review with expected completion only by 2030.   

“This is exactly the concern of the rakyat who have waited too long. The land exists. The farmers are ready. The potential is proven. The productivity data is improving.

“But delays in infrastructure implementation continue slowing down the full realization of the project. And when infrastructure is delayed planting schedules are disrupted,water management becomes inconsistent, drainage problems occur and mechanization becomes difficult, operational costs increase, and investor confidence weakens.

”Eventually, public confidence may also be affected. Therefore, the people of Batang Lupar place great hope that this initiative will continue progressing successfully and ultimately emerge as one of Sarawak’s proud food security success stories,” she said.