By Amanda L
KUCHING, July 21: Sarawak is looking to develop halal food and healthcare products through science and research to meet universal needs, allowing them to serve both Muslim and non-Muslim markets.
According to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, halal products should not be limited to Muslim consumers but designed to address broader human needs, giving them greater market potential worldwide.
“When you talk about the halal market, the way I see it is for us to produce something that human beings need.
“If the process is halal, the product is halal. If the product can solve human needs, then the market penetration is not only the halal market, but the non-halal market,” he said when officiating at the Borneo International Halal Showcase (BIHAS) 2026 here today.
He said food security and healthcare are among the sectors where Sarawak sees significant opportunities to develop high-value halal products with global appeal, particularly as climate change and changing lifestyles create new challenges.
As an example, the Premier revealed that Sarawak is currently testing a perennial rice variety in Marudi that only needs to be planted once every five years while producing harvests every eight weeks.
“The rice has characteristics similar to basmati, contains less starch and could offer a healthier alternative for people with diabetes.
“If we make this breakthrough, then the market is both halal and non-halal,” he said.
The first harvest, expected to be officiated by the Premier in early August, will mark an important milestone in assessing the crop’s performance and determining which perennial rice varieties are suitable for wider cultivation across Sarawak.— DayakDaily
