This Content Is Only For Subscribers
By Shikin Louis
SEBUYAU, Sept 17: Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (FELCRA) will set up large-scale paddy estates in Sarawak and Sabah to meet rice demand in the country, says Deputy Prime Minister Dato Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said this is in light of rice supplying countries considering halting rice product exports.
“I would not mention the name of the countries as this involve our diplomatic ties but we ourselves must be capable to plant our own paddy to produce rice for domestic consumption.
“I will leave this responsibility to FELCRA chairman Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub to implement this initiative, insya-Allah,” he said when speaking at a programme held here today.
During a press conference afterwards, Zahid who is Minister of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) further said the authorities have identified a 50,000-acre site for paddy planting including Sarawak but that has not yet been finalised.
“In principle, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has agreed and identified the site but the implementation would take time because the allocation is being coordinated together with Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the land site is still pending the approval of Native Customary Rights (NCR) landowners,” he added. — DayakDaily
