Sarawak Passes Bill to Establish Padi and Rice Board
The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly has passed the Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill, 2026, creating a statutory body to oversee the state’s rice industry. Aimed at enhancing food security and reducing import dependency, the Board will regulate production, manage research, and support farmers through subsidies and modernization initiatives. Debates highlighted the need to improve low self-sufficiency rates, protect Native Customary Rights landholders, and integrate advanced agricultural technologies. This legislative move signifies a strategic shift toward organized, sustainable agricultural planning and socio-economic development for rural communities in Sarawak.
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Sarawak Passes Bill to Establish Rice Board for Industry Boost
Sarawak has passed the Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill 2026, establishing an official regulatory body to manage and enhance the state's rice industry. This legislative move aims to professionalize the sector, improve production efficiency, and organize supply lines. The new Board will provide farmers with modern machinery, technical training, and financial incentives to increase yields and reduce post-harvest losses while promoting environmentally sustainable practices. A key objective is to establish 'Padi Development Areas' under direct state control, regulating market entry and logistics to ensure stability. The Board serves as a crucial mechanism for food security, reducing reliance on foreign imports and protecting local households from global price volatility through price stabilization measures. By integrating state jurisdiction with national food security goals, the initiative seeks to transform traditional rice cultivation into a modern, profitable economic pillar. Furthermore, the legislation emphasizes balanced growth, aiming to share economic benefits between urban and rural communities. This strategic intervention is designed to secure long-term nutritional independence for the region and revitalize rural economies by turning marginal farms into engines of growth.
Borneo Post OnlineSarawak Legislative Assembly Passes Bill to Establish Padi and Rice Board
The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) has passed the Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill, 2026, establishing a dedicated statutory body to oversee the sustainable development of the state's rice industry. Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom highlighted that the Board will enhance food security, optimize land use on state territory, and facilitate Public-Private Partnerships. During debates, Dr Rundi addressed historical challenges in the Batang Lupar project, where Native Customary Rights land issues hindered large-scale mechanization, leading some farmers to switch to oil palm cultivation. He also responded to suggestions for a high-value export strategy by noting that Sarawak premium rice is already licensed for international markets including Singapore and Hong Kong. The new Board aims to structure these efforts, improving production efficiency and global competitiveness. This legislative move signifies a strategic shift towards organized agricultural planning, aiming to resolve land tenure conflicts and leverage private sector expertise to boost local rice productivity and economic value.
Borneo Post OnlinePending Rep Urges Sarawak Rice Board to Prioritize Food Security Over Administration
Violet Yong, the Democratic Action Party representative for Pending, emphasized that the proposed Sarawak Padi and Rice Board must deliver tangible improvements in food security rather than serving merely as an administrative entity. During a debate on the Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill 2026, she highlighted that the state’s rice self-sufficiency level remains critically low at 34-38%, creating strategic risks amid global supply uncertainties. Yong called for a clear roadmap targeting at least 60% self-sufficiency, supported by measurable annual targets and transparent performance indicators. She stressed the need for improved infrastructure, including irrigation and rural logistics, particularly for remote farmers facing high transport costs. Additionally, Yong addressed the exclusion of Native Customary Rights (NCR) landholders from financial assistance due to lack formal titles, urging inclusive policies. She also warned against over-reliance on commercial paddy varieties, which threatens agricultural biodiversity and farmer autonomy. To preserve genetic diversity, she proposed establishing a State Seed Bank and protecting traditional seed-sharing practices. Yong argued that without authority over physical infrastructure and inclusive support systems, the Board would fail to solve underlying issues, leaving Sarawak dependent on rice imports despite policy ambitions.
Borneo Post OnlineSarawak Padi and Rice Board Proposed to Modernize Agriculture and Boost Food Security
Chieng Jin Ek, the representative for Bukit Assek, advocated for the establishment of the Sarawak Padi and Rice Board during a State Legislative Assembly debate on May 12, 2026. He described the proposed statutory authority as a crucial step toward enhancing Sarawak’s food self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on external supply chains. The board is designed to centralize coordination, regulate industry activities, promote investment, and drive research within the paddy and rice sector. Chieng emphasized the need to transition from traditional, labor-intensive farming to mechanized, technology-driven agriculture to attract younger generations. While supporting the bill, he stressed the importance of transparent governance, financial accountability, and measurable outcomes to maintain public confidence. Furthermore, he highlighted that the initiative must prioritize the welfare of smallholders and rural communities through technical assistance and fair supply chain participation, rather than benefiting only large corporations. The legislation aims to safeguard long-term food security and build a resilient economy capable of withstanding global uncertainties.
Borneo Post OnlineTellian Rep Urges Dedicated Research Body for Sarawak Padi and Rice Board
During the State Legislative Assembly debate on the Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill, 2026, Royston Valentine, the representative for Tellian, proposed the establishment of a dedicated research institution under the new board. He argued that such a center of excellence is essential for driving innovation, modernizing the state’s paddy industry, and ensuring long-term food security. Valentine emphasized the need to focus on developing local paddy varieties resistant to extreme weather and suitable for Sarawak’s specific soil conditions, including peatlands. He highlighted the importance of integrating advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, smart farming, and mechanization to transition away from traditional agricultural methods. Furthermore, he suggested implementing protective measures for smallholders, such as crop insurance and minimum price guarantees, alongside digital data systems for real-time monitoring. Valentine asserted that strengthening the local rice industry would reduce import dependence and position Sarawak as a key food producer in the ASEAN region, linking food security directly to economic stability and regional wellbeing.
Borneo Post OnlineMeluan Rep: Sarawak Padi and Rice Board to Boost Interior Farmers' Socio-Economic Status
Datuk Rolland Duat Jubin, the Meluan representative from the GPS party, voiced strong support for the Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill, 2026, during a State Legislative Assembly sitting in Kuching. He argued that the establishment of this board is crucial for reducing poverty in rural interior areas where economic opportunities are scarce. The proposed board aims to uplift the socio-economic status of paddy-growing communities by enhancing agricultural productivity and stabilizing farmers' incomes. Key functions include providing subsidies, facilitating access to modern farming technology, coordinating training programs, improving irrigation infrastructure, and assisting with marketing and distribution. Jubin emphasized that improved income would lead to better education, healthcare, and housing for rural families. Furthermore, he highlighted the bill's role in strengthening Sarawak's food security by increasing local rice production, reducing dependency on imports, and ensuring price stability for consumers, particularly low-income households vulnerable to market fluctuations. This initiative reflects the Sarawak government's commitment to inclusive development, ensuring no community is left behind while addressing critical challenges such as rising fertilizer costs and limited market access faced by local farmers.
Borneo Post OnlineDr Rundi Tables Bill to Establish Sarawak Padi and Rice Board
Sarawak’s Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Minister, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, has tabled the Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill, 2026, at the State Legislative Assembly. The legislation aims to establish a corporate body responsible for overseeing and driving the sustainable development of Sarawak’s padi and rice industry. Designed to complement federal frameworks like the Padi and Rice Control Act 1994, the Board will possess powers to issue licenses, manage property, conduct research, and enforce regulations. It will be funded by a dedicated Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Fund and comprise a chairman, deputy chairman, government officials, and industry experts. The initiative seeks to enhance state-level control over production planning and distribution, thereby improving food security and reducing dependency on external rice supplies. The Bill also grants enforcement powers to authorized officers, including the ability to investigate offences and compound penalties. Dr Rundi emphasized that the Board will operate within Sarawak’s constitutional competence without infringing on federal authority, ensuring legal certainty for state-led agricultural initiatives.
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