BINTULU, Sept 28 2026: Federal Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu said his ministry will proposed an additional of RM1 billion to accelerate the development of the food sector, especially paddy production in Sarawak, for consideration by the federal Cabinet.
He said the allocation is important in supporting efforts to increase the country's rice Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL), with Sarawak potentially playing a greater role in the production of this strategic food commodity.
"We realise that if Sarawak is able to produce enough (rice) for Sarawak, it means that the state can help the country's Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL).
"So for the additional application of RM1 billion, of course I will bring this matter to the cabinet for consideration," he explained at a joint press conference with Premier Abang Johari Openg after the opening of Sarawak Agrofest 2026 at the old Bintulu Airport site/
According to him, the allocation could accelerate the development of infrastructure related to paddy production, especially irrigation and drainage systems which require large investments and a long development period.
Mohamad said that his ministry is working on additional allocations from the Ministry of Finance to strengthen food security, especially in the face of the possibility of the El Nino phenomenon this year and next year.
He also assured that the federal government would support Sarawak government's efforts in transforming the agro sector, including through the use of modern technology to increase productivity.
"The Sarawak premier's emphasis on modern technology is very important because if we still use old methods, the effort to achieve at least 80 percent SSL will be difficult in the next seven to eight years.
"We will find ways to fully support this effort," he explained.
Abang Johari said the Sarawak government is ready to implement a 'one-to-one' approach for additional allocations if the federal government also provided the same amount, which is RM1 billion.
He added that the state is intensifying efforts to boost rice production and food security through the development of 14,000 hectares of land for paddy cultivation, including 7,000 hectares of state land to be gazetted specifically for the purpose.
He said gazetting the land is crucial to ensure the identified areas remain dedicated to paddy production and are not converted to other crops offering higher returns.
He said the move is also in line with the national agenda to increase domestic rice production and strengthen food security.
“We are responding to the national agenda to increase domestic rice production.
“For this, we have identified areas to be developed for paddy cultivation,” he told a press conference today.
The Sarawak premier added that areas identified as part of the 7,000 hectares to be gazetted for paddy cultivation include Lundu, Banting (Lingga), Limbang and Lawas.
He said apart from expanding cultivation areas, Sarawak is also focusing on research to develop rice varieties that better meet health needs, including rice with lower starch content that could potentially be developed under a Sarawak rice brand.
“We are also placing emphasis on research into rice that is beneficial to health and contains less starch.
“If this succeeds, we will have our own brand, which I believe will be a product needed around the world,” he explained.
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