By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 26: LINAWA, a homegrown brand from the Lawas Highlands, has recently obtained halal certification for its Adan rice and Arabica coffee product lines, marking a significant milestone for both the brand and the Lun Bawang community.
According to a media release from PETRONAS, with the certification, LINAWA products are now poised to enter hypermarkets across Sabah and Sarawak, expanding beyond their current online sales channels.
The Adan rice range features three varieties—White, Red and Black Adan rice—cultivated in Lawas using pristine highland water sources. The natural environment contributes to the rice’s distinctive texture and aroma.
Under its coffee range, LINAWA offers medium-roast Arabica beans grown locally in Long Sukang, Long Luping, and surrounding villages. The coffee caters to consumers who appreciate pure, highland-grown Arabica.
Its signature product, Adan Arabica coffee, blends Adan rice with Arabica beans. Developed by Lun Bawang farmers, this unique blend delivers a distinctive aroma and flavour, while offering dietary fibre and antioxidants derived from the Adan rice.
LINAWA’s Adan rice and Arabica coffee have also received international recognition, winning an Outstanding Award and a Silver Award at the Malaysia Technology Expo Sustainable Energy and Green Technology International Innovation Awards.
“These products represent more than local innovation. They reflect the resilience and potential of our highland communities. The halal certification allows us to reach a wider market and grow sustainably,” said Sulaiman Palong, President of Koperasi Usahasama Long Sukang Lawas Berhad and village chief of Kampung Berayong Tengah.
The products are developed under the Towards Uplifting Lives Programme (TULiP), a social impact initiative by PETRONAS aimed at strengthening community entrepreneurship capabilities and improving livelihoods in Lawas.
Since 2021, with support from PETRONAS and Yayasan Hasanah, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS’ Institute of Smart and Sustainable Living has worked closely with the community on entrepreneurship training, mentoring, capability development, product innovation and market access.
Today, Koperasi Usahasama Long Sukang Lawas Berhad operates with a structured organisation of 30 members, supporting local farmers and advancing the commercialisation of highland agricultural products. — DayakDaily
