Chong Questions Sarawak’s Paddy Policies and RM950 Million Project Efficacy
During a State Legislative Assembly debate in Kuching, Chong Chieng Jen, Chairman of the Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP), critically questioned the effectiveness of past paddy development policies. He highlighted that Sarawak’s rice self-sufficiency ratio stands at only 21%, significantly lower than the national average of 53-56%, despite the state having comparable landmass to Peninsular Malaysia but a much smaller population. Chong specifically demanded accountability for a 2013 project in Batang Lupar, which allocated RM950 million to develop 5,100 hectares of paddy land, asking how these funds were utilized given the lack of visible results. He expressed skepticism about the government's new target to achieve 60% self-sufficiency by 2030 through the proposed Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill, 2026. Chong argued that current production yields are insufficient to meet demand and warned that relying on high-yield varieties from China might not suit local conditions. He urged the government to explain how the new board, still under the same ministry responsible for previous failures, would ensure different outcomes and avoid repeating past mistakes in boosting the state's rice security.
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Chong Questions Sarawak’s Paddy Policies and RM950 Million Project Efficacy
During a State Legislative Assembly debate in Kuching, Chong Chieng Jen, Chairman of the Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP), critically questioned the effectiveness of past paddy development policies. He highlighted that Sarawak’s rice self-sufficiency ratio stands at only 21%, significantly lower than the national average of 53-56%, despite the state having comparable landmass to Peninsular Malaysia but a much smaller population. Chong specifically demanded accountability for a 2013 project in Batang Lupar, which allocated RM950 million to develop 5,100 hectares of paddy land, asking how these funds were utilized given the lack of visible results. He expressed skepticism about the government's new target to achieve 60% self-sufficiency by 2030 through the proposed Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill, 2026. Chong argued that current production yields are insufficient to meet demand and warned that relying on high-yield varieties from China might not suit local conditions. He urged the government to explain how the new board, still under the same ministry responsible for previous failures, would ensure different outcomes and avoid repeating past mistakes in boosting the state's rice security.
Borneo Post Online