Kota Sentosa Rep Urges Results Over Bureaucracy for Proposed Rice Board
Wilfred Yap, the representative for Kota Sentosa, emphasized during a debate at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly that the proposed Sarawak Padi and Rice Board must prioritize tangible outcomes over bureaucratic expansion. With the state government committing RM1 billion to the sector, Yap argued that urban taxpayers and rural communities deserve assurance that funds will lead to increased production, reduced import dependency, and stable prices. He proposed implementing a transparent Performance-Based Monitoring System to track milestones such as cultivated land area and output growth. Citing challenges from the Bario Rice Project, including underutilized equipment and limited community engagement, Yap warned against poor maintenance and lack of local participation. He advocated for training, technical assistance, and cooperative models to support small farmers while preventing corporate dominance. Additionally, Yap suggested developing a premium rice brand leveraging indigenous varieties for export and agro-tourism. He called for a dedicated unit within the board to focus on research, branding, and preservation of heritage rice. Ultimately, he stressed the need for a lean, efficient, and outcome-driven institution to enhance Sarawak’s economic resilience and self-reliance.
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Kota Sentosa Rep Urges Results Over Bureaucracy for Proposed Rice Board
Wilfred Yap, the representative for Kota Sentosa, emphasized during a debate at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly that the proposed Sarawak Padi and Rice Board must prioritize tangible outcomes over bureaucratic expansion. With the state government committing RM1 billion to the sector, Yap argued that urban taxpayers and rural communities deserve assurance that funds will lead to increased production, reduced import dependency, and stable prices. He proposed implementing a transparent Performance-Based Monitoring System to track milestones such as cultivated land area and output growth. Citing challenges from the Bario Rice Project, including underutilized equipment and limited community engagement, Yap warned against poor maintenance and lack of local participation. He advocated for training, technical assistance, and cooperative models to support small farmers while preventing corporate dominance. Additionally, Yap suggested developing a premium rice brand leveraging indigenous varieties for export and agro-tourism. He called for a dedicated unit within the board to focus on research, branding, and preservation of heritage rice. Ultimately, he stressed the need for a lean, efficient, and outcome-driven institution to enhance Sarawak’s economic resilience and self-reliance.
Borneo Post Online