KUCHING: Sarawak wants a higher Budget 2024 allocation for irrigation and drainage to boost rice production in the state.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said Sarawak has vast land and had started a pilot project to plant hybrid paddy, using various types of seedlings from Vietnam that can yield three times more paddy than normal planting methods.
“So, what we need now is to upgrade our drainage and irrigation system, which is an important aspect in paddy cultivation,” he said.
“If Malaysia wants to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production, the government must invest in upgrading the infrastructure, to support rice planting,” he told reporters after attending the inauguration ceremony of a new factory in Sama Jaya High Tech Park here today.
Currently, Sarawak’s rice production is only able to cater to 34 per cent of the state’s rice need and according to Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas) statistics, last year Sarawak managed to produce 83,000 metric tonnes of rice and imported 145,468 metric tonnes.
Apart from that, Abang Johari said he hoped for more allocation in the federal budget next year for wider 5G coverage as well as to increase the internet speed throughout the state.
“We already have telecommunications (telco) companies to provide the 5G network. But, what is important now is that we need to upgrade our backhaul capacity as well.
“Thus, I hope the upcoming budget will come up with an allocation to help us to upgrade our backhaul capacity,” he said.
“We need to work with the federal government on this,” he added.
According to Parliament’s official portal at www.parlimen.gov.my, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Finance Minister, is scheduled to table the 2024 Supply Bill at 4 pm this Friday.
Budget 2024 will be the second national budget by the unity government after the revised 2023 Budget with a total expenditure of RM388.1 billion that was tabled in February.
