Premier asks CENTEXS, Agriculture Dept to collaborate with Huawei to explore the use of AI to enhance rice production

KUCHING, Oct 6 2026: The Sarawak government has asked Centre of Excellence for Technology Sarawak (CENTEXS) and Department of Agriculture to collaborate with  global technology conglomerate Huawei of China to explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and high-resolution monitoring systems to modernize farm management and enhance rice production efficiency.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg says Sarawak aims to increase rice yields to between eight and 12 metric tonnes per hectare per season through improvements in production policies focusing on infrastructure, seeds, technology, and human resources.

"When your farm is designed with a specific structure, you can manage the farm while simultaneously managing the seeds used for rice production," he said at the opening of the 'Sarawak Rice Convention (SARICON) II' today, adding that the technology enables continuous monitoring of farm conditions, including crop growth, and the detection of issues such as pest infestations.

He said the use of technology with high-resolution imaging capabilities also allows for more detailed information regarding crop conditions to be obtained.

He added that management becomes easier even when one is not physically at the farm, as farmers can stay informed about the situation thanks to the high-pixel imaging capabilities.

"Naturally, we can turn to AI for assistance, and the technology is also integrated with AI capabilities.

"To me, now that these technologies are available, the question is how we apply them, particularly in our rice production," he remarked. 

The premier also said Sarawak aims to increase rice yields to between eight and 12 metric tonnes per hectare per season through improvements in production policies focusing on infrastructure, seeds, technology, and human resources.

He said the target represents a significant leap from the current average yield of approximately 1.2 metric tonnes per hectare per season.

He noted land availability is also being prioritised, with 14,000 hectares identified for rice production, comprising both the state land and smallholder land.

“The majority, 7,000 hectares or 50 percent, is the state land that has been gazetted for rice production.

“This is because we do not want people planting other crops; we need to gazette the land. They might otherwise opt for small-scale oil palm cultivation, as it offers higher returns compared to rice.

“Therefore, to prevent this and to control land use, we have gazetted these areas specifically for rice production. They cannot plant other crops,” he stressed.

He added that this measure guarantees land availability and ensures that the identified areas remain dedicated to rice cultivation.

Meanwhile, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari stated that research into new seed varieties and hybrid seeds must be intensified to achieve higher rice yields.

He explained that meeting this target is a challenging task requiring the involvement of scientists and researchers to explore new varieties, hybrid seeds, and suitable crop management methods. “The Sarawak government is collaborating with UPM Bintulu to identify suitable areas and secure key, strategic components capable of delivering higher yields while simultaneously boosting production.

“In this regard, we can also collaborate with other researchers to obtain accurate input and achieve the targets we have set,” he explained. 

Governor, wife paying their last respects to the late Song Swee Guan

KUCHING, Oct 6 2026 – Governor Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi paid their last respects to the late Song Swee Guan, the former Speaker of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (SLA) as well as a former State Assemblyman, Member of Parliament, and Mayor of the South Kuching City Council.

Caption: Governor Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi paying their last respects to the late Song Swee Guan

They arrived at the Chan Funeral Parlour at M5 Business Park, Jalan Penrissen, at 12:20pm to pay their respects and convey their condolences to the family.

"We were welcomed upon arrival by the late Song's adopted son Sim Min Min; his sister, Eleanor Song; his daughter Grace Chiew; and his cousin Richard Song Swee Jin," the governor said in his Facebook post.

Also present were Sarawak State Assembly Members (SLMs) Lo Khere Chiang (Batu Kitang), Wilfred Yap (Kota Sentosa) and See Chee How (Batu Lintang).

During the visit, the governor and his wife spent time with the family and expressed their sympathies over the loss of a man who had dedicated his service and devotion to Sarawak, particularly while shouldering the responsibilities of the Sarawak Speaker, and to the community at large.

The governor and his wife also prayed that the family would be granted strength and fortitude in facing this time of loss.

PBB Women wing refining and oiling its machinery in preparation for the upcoming state election

KUCHING: The Women Wing of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) is refining and oiling its machinery in preparation for the upcoming Sarawak state election, particularly in identifying new voters and enhancing the knowledge and skills of its members.

Caption: PBB Women chief Fatimah Abdullah (left) says that the preparations for an election cannot be done at the last minute

Its chief Fatimah Abdullah said early preparation is important to ensure that the party machinery can carry out its responsibilities in an organised, structured and efficient manner, especially in facing the growing number of voters.

"Preparations for an election cannot be done at the last minute. They must be planned so that our Women's party machinery becomes one that is organised, structured and efficient in ensuring that the trust given to us is carried out well," she told a press conference after the movement's supreme council meeting at the party headquarters.

Fatimah, who is also the Women, Family, Early Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister,  said various programmes previously carried out, such as 'Kamek Prihatin', 'Kitak Penting', 'Simpulan Kasih', 'Sarawak Kita Empun' and the 'Sarawakku Sayang' Programme, have served as platforms to reach out to the people.

She stressed that the programmes have also helped enhance the machinery's knowledge of Sarawak's progress and development under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).

She said the meeting also focused on strengthening the machinery's understanding and skills through a briefing on polling agents and counting agents (PACAs) and sharing sessions on election preparedness.

Fatimah added the upcoming state election requires a higher level of preparedness due to the increase in voters, including young people and those previously unregistered.

She therefore called upon the entire PBB Women's machinery to continue refining its structure and workings, assess the strength of each branch and sub-branch, identify new voters and strengthen ties with families and communities.

She also stressed that PBB Women stands firmly behind the leadership of PBB president and Premier Abang Johari Openg and is committed to ensuring that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) secures a larger mandate than in the previous election.

She also emphasised that women's strengths, being meticulous, diligent, patient and close to families and communities, must be translated into building a machinery that is efficient, organised, knowledgeable and disciplined before, during and after the state election.

In a related development, Fatimah said PBB Women hopes more women will be given the opportunity to contest in the upcoming state election and become elected representatives, but candidate selection must be based on calibre, merit and winnability.

Three key projects that are expected to improve the well-being of the Penan community in Metalun resettlement scheme

MURUM, Oct 6 2026: Murum State Legislative Member Kennedy Chupkai Ugon said he believes that three key development projects in Metalun — the newly completed Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Metalun building, the ongoing road upgrade to the area, and the Metalun Agricultural Station (currently at the tender stage) — are expected to strengthen access to education, connectivity, and economic opportunities for the Penan community of the Metalun resettlement scheme.

Caption: The Penan of Matalun resettlement scheme in Murum state constituency

He said the projects are part of ongoing efforts to improve the well-being of the community in the Murum resettlement area.

He stressed  education, infrastructure, and agriculture must be strengthened in tandem to create more opportunities for the community, particularly the younger Penan generation.

“Education builds the future generation. Roads open up connectivity. Agriculture creates economic opportunities. Telecommunications connect the community with the outside world,” he emphasised at the closing ceremony of Adet Tulat Apu Festival 2026 in Long Singu, Metalun yesterday.

Chupkai noted  efforts to improve telecommunications coverage in the area are also crucial to ensuring the community has better access to education, employment opportunities, and digital-based economic activities.

He added the development of infrastructure and basic amenities must go hand-in-hand with efforts to strengthen community capacity so that the benefits of development translate into an improved standard of living.

He urged parents to continue prioritizing their children's education and to encourage the younger Penan generation to pursue further studies and enhance their skills.

He emphasised that an educated and skilled younger generation is vital for continuing community development and contributing back to the local society.

Chupkai remarked that the Adet Tulat Apu festival plays a role in preserving heritage and strengthening unity within the Penan community.

He said that the spirit of *gotong-royong* (mutual cooperation)—an integral part of the Adet Tulat Apu tradition—should be upheld within the context of modern community development. “In the past, we worked together to secure sago for our survival. Today, we must work together to build a better future for our children and grandchildren,” he said.

He also expressed his appreciation to the Murum Penan Development Community (MPDC), Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), community leaders, government agencies, and the residents of Long Singu for their cooperation in making the Adet Tulat Apu Festival 2026 a success.

Master plan is a boost to small medium entrepreneurs in Sarawak, says deputy premier

 KUCHING, Oct 6 2026: Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan today said  a "Master Plan to Enhance the Competitiveness of SMEs in Sarawak," is a long-term roadmap to boost the competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability of small medium enterprises (SMEs) in the state.

Caption: Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan chairing the main committee meeting of Sarawak Entrpreneur Development Coordination

Awang Tengah,m who is also the International Trade, Industry and Investment Minister, said the master plan focuses on innovation and digitalization, access to financing and markets, as well as capacity building and the strengthening of the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

"It is expected to enable local enterprises to benefit from investment growth through job creation, technology transfer, vendor development, and broader participation in supply chains," he told reporters after chairing the main committee meeting of Sarawak Entrpreneur Development Coordination

He said between 2021 and 2025, Sarawak recorded over RM116 billion in approved investments, while an additional RM11.2 billion was approved across the primary, manufacturing, and services sectors for the first half of 2026.

He added more than RM950 million has been jointly mobilised by the federal and Sarawak government agencies from January to October of this year to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem through financing, capacity building, training, and market access.

"The strategic collaboration between the Sarawak government, through the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRED)—and UNIMAS Holdings Sdn Bhd also saw the appointment of six cluster heads - Business Premises and Incubators; Marketing; Research and Innovation; Financing Funds and Equipment; Digital; and Capacity Building.