Sarawak passes Paddy and Rice Board Bill 2026, focuses on State land paddy strategy

Dr Rundi tabling the Sarawak Paddy and Rice Board Bill, 2026 in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Sitting on May 12, 2026. Photo credit: JaPEN Sarawak

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, May 12: The Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) today passed the Sarawak Paddy and Rice Board Bill, 2026, marking a major step towards strengthening the State’s food security agenda through a strategic shift towards paddy development on State land.

Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said one of the key policy transformations under the establishment of the Board is the development of paddy cultivation areas on State land to ensure long-term planning and more systematic agricultural land use.

He said the approach would allow for more orderly and efficient implementation of large-scale paddy projects, while avoiding future land conflicts that have hampered previous initiatives.

“One of the key approaches is the development of paddy areas on State land, which ensures long-term planning as well as more orderly and efficient land use for agricultural purposes,” he said during his winding-up speech at the DUS sitting today.

He added that the gazettement of State land for paddy development is crucial in securing land availability and preventing future land use conflicts.

“This provides a stable foundation for large-scale agricultural planning and investment,” he stressed.

Dr Rundi also highlighted the importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in accelerating the development of the paddy sector through the sharing of expertise, technology, and resources between the government and private entities.

“The participation of the private sector through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) is also crucial in accelerating development. This collaboration allows the sharing of expertise, technology, and resources between the government and private entities, leading to more efficient project implementation,” he said.

In responding to concerns raised by Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong, he said the establishment of the Sarawak Paddy and Rice Board would further strengthen efforts to boost the production and export potential of Sarawak premium rice in a more structured and globally competitive manner.

“Sarawak premium rice remains the only locally produced rice recorded by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) as being licensed for international export, including to Singapore, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and other destinations,” he said.

Dr Rundi also assured the House that concerns regarding the use of organic fertilisers, biomass, and green technology integration in the paddy and rice industry would be addressed through coordinated research and development initiatives under the new Board.

“The Sarawak Paddy and Rice Board will play a key role in coordinating and strengthening research and development activities within the paddy and rice industry, towards a more sustainable, modern, and resilient agricultural system that is environmentally responsible,” he said.

The Bill was passed after being debated by 31 assemblymen.

Dr Rundi thanked all members of the august House for their constructive ideas and support, saying the feedback would help the government implement and enforce the Sarawak Paddy and Rice Board Bill, 2026 more effectively. — DayakDaily