Premier embraces ‘Ketua Kebun’ role after Iban message, vows to ‘take care of the farm’

Abang Johari greets members of the community leaders and village chiefs (KMKK) during the dinner in Mukah on Oct 2, 2026. Photo credit: Office of Premier of Sarawak (OPS)/Sarawakku Facebook page.

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, Oct 2: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today embraced the “Ketua Kebun” (farm leader) metaphor used in an Iban community message to him, responding with a pledge to “take care of the farm”.

“Thank you to those who asked me to take care of the farm. God willing, I will take care of the farm,” he said in his speech during a dinner with community leaders and village chiefs (KMKK) of the Mukah Division held at a local hotel in Mukah earlier tonight.

The Premier’s response came after Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) Datuk Abdullah Saidol earlier delivered an Iban message from members of the community who had heard Abang Johari’s recent speech in Miri.

In the message, the community described Abang Johari as a “knowledgeable and wise farmer” whose produce had been shared with the community, while also crediting him with encouraging them to work hard to develop their village.

“You are a knowledgeable and wise farmer. You have shared much of the produce from your crops with us. You have also taught us to work hard to develop our village. Please, don’t stop farming with us. We still need you to be the head of our farm. There are still many of your crops that have yet to be harvested. You are not old yet; you are still strong. We stand firmly, segulai sejalai, together with you in building our future,” the message said.

Responding to the metaphor, Abang Johari said being a “Ketua Kebun” did not have to be complicated, as long as the farm was properly managed and planted.

“Sometimes, being the ‘ketua kebun’ is not that hard. As long as the farm is right and the planting is done right,” he said.

He then turned to Sarawak’s efforts to develop rice cultivation, highlighting perennial paddy that has been trialled in Baram.

According to Abang Johari, the paddy can be planted once and continue growing for up to five years without needing to be replanted.

“So, let’s take care of our rice farms, because the rice can grow on its own,” he said.

Abang Johari also spoke about another approach to large-scale rice production involving rice with lower sugar content, likening it to basmati rice.

He said the approach was relevant given the prevalence of diabetes. — DayakDaily