Tengah: RM500 mln boost for northern Sarawak rice cultivation

LAWAS (Nov 20): Northern Sarawak will have a leg-up as a major paddy cultivation area with an allocation of RM500 million set aside as part of the state government’s strategy to achieve food security, said Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

The Deputy Premier said the Ba Kelalan highlands, Long Semadoh and Trusan have been identified as suitable for large-scale paddy cultivation in this region.

“Rice cultivation is one of our focus areas. The Premier has told me that for Northern Sarawak covering the areas of Miri, Limbang and Lawas, he had allocated RM0.5 billion for specific infrastructure for the irrigation and drainage system of rice producing areas,” he said.

Awang Tengah, who spoke to The Borneo Post after officiating the opening ceremony of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Ba Kelalan delegates meeting here recently, said the paddy project will start with the construction of basic infrastructure covering Miri, Limbang and Lawas areas.

“The implementation of basic infrastructure such as roads and proper drainage and irrigation systems is important to ensure that the project is implemented successfully,” he explained.

He said the project is consistent with the government’s aim of ensuring that food production in northern Sarawak can support the needs of people in other parts of Sarawak.

“In addition, the livestock sector and others related to the food security sector are also being developed along with other necessary infrastructure,” he added.