Sarawak Padi & Rice Board Bill A New Bastion For Food Security
KUCHING: The Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill 2026 has been described as a crucial strategic move to strengthen agricultural autonomy and safeguard the state’s food security amid uncertainties in the global supply chain.
Daro Assemblyman Dr Safiee Ahmad said the establishment of the Sarawak Padi and Rice Board (SPRB) is not merely an administrative adjustment, but rather a strategic declaration by Sarawak to manage the paddy and rice sector more effectively according to its own state-driven framework.
According to him, the current global geopolitical situation has directly affected the regional rice industry, including rising sea freight costs as well as increasing fertiliser and fuel prices in major producing countries such as Thailand and Vietnam.
“When Southeast Asia’s own rice bowls are under threat, Sarawak can no longer afford to remain a passive observer.
“Sarawak’s current Rice Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL) stands at only around 21 per cent,” he said while debating the Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill 2026 during the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting on Tuesday.
He also revealed that Malaysia spent RM2.02 billion on rice imports from Vietnam and RM667.5 million from Thailand in 2024, highlighting the country’s heavy reliance on external supplies.
On the Bill, he said it would enable Sarawak to implement emergency supply interventions and establish a strategic buffer stock to ensure a consistent and sufficient rice supply for the state.
He added that high-potential areas such as Sri Aman, Mukah, including Daro, Kapit and Limbang, have been identified as modern paddy development zones capable of attracting private investment through public-private partnerships (PPP).
In addition, he said the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and green hydrogen-powered machinery would help position Sarawak as a leader in sustainable agriculture and a modern agro-sector driven by innovation.
At the same time, he stressed that the establishment of the new statutory body must be accompanied by transparent governance, a strong integrity system and effective performance monitoring to ensure continued public confidence in SPRB.
“The Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill 2026 is our line of defence. It ensures that Sarawak has more meaningful control over the future of its food security,” he said. -UKASnews
