BINTULU: Sarawak currently has the capacity to produce only about 35 per cent of its local rice demand, with the remaining 65 per cent being met through rice imports.
Minister for Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom revealed this while highlighting the need to enhance local rice production to reduce dependency on imports.
“We (Sarawak) are capable of producing only 35 per cent of our rice consumption, while the remaining 65 per cent is imported from countries like Vietnam, Pakistan and India.
“If what we call ‘job critical issue problem’ happens or if these countries refuse to export rice, it would pose a significant challenge to our food security,” he remarked, drawing parallels with the Japanese occupation era when alternatives like sweet potatoes and cassava became primary food sources.
He made these remarks at the Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2024 Life Enhancement Programme and Sungkei Bersama MLNG event at Pavilion, Kidurong Club Bintulu, last night.
Dr Rundi noted the importance of ensuring food security for Sarawak and outlined various initiatives undertaken and planned by the government to assist farmers in adopting modern agricultural practices.
During the programme, 169 individuals from needy communities around Bintulu and four families affected by a fire in Kampung Sungai Plan Lot received contributions in the form of food and ‘duit raya’ from Malaysia LNG (MLNG).
Contributions were also extended to 10 mosques in the Jepak, Tanjung Batu, Kidurong, Bintulu and Sebauh areas.
Also in attendance were Jepak assemblyman Iskandar Turkee, Tanjong Batu assemblyman Johnny Pang Leong Ming, and Mohamed Syazwan Abdullah @ Laga Jenggi, the chief executive officer of Malaysia LNG Group of Companies.
