PASIR SALAK: The government plans to cooperate with private companies to fund the opening of padi fields in Sabah and Sarawak to increase the production of local white rice.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the government was seriously looking into this plan which includes conducting financial research through discussions with the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Finance Minister.
Mohamad said Anwar admitted that the government was facing problems regarding large allocations to overcome irrigation problems in identified locations, but was ready to take steps to establish cooperation with private companies to ensure food security is maintained.
"He (Anwar) said that we don't have money right now, but we are discussing how to work together with private (companies) to establish this cooperation so that we can carry it out (the opening of large-scale rice fields in Sabah and Sarawak).
"For instance, in Sabah, we have identified more than 50,000 acres (20,234 hectares) of padi land where we see irrigation problems.
"(The cost) of this irrigation has been sent to us, the amount discussed is a billion ringgit as well. But for the sake of food security, the government must act," he said.
Mohamad said this in a press conference during his work visit to the Felcra Plantation Services Sdn Bhd in Seberang Perak here, today.
He added that the ministry aims to produce rice for Sabah alone to be able to cover up to 40 per cent of local consumption with the first harvest expected in the next three or four years.
Mohamad said he has held discussions with Sabah Deputy Chief Minister and Sabah Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan recently to ensure that the target was achieved.
When asked about the plan to open padi fields in Sarawak, Mohamad did not mention in detail the amount of land involved but it was clear that it must be greater than in Sabah.
"Sarawak's agriculture is aggressive and they have places where the rice production reaches seven tonnes," he said.
He stressed that the opening of rice fields in the two states concerned was very crucial as preparation in case of any phenomenon that affected the rice-producing states in Peninsular Malaysia.
"We are now worried about the El-Nino phenomenon and so on if it hits the four rice-producing states, namely Kelantan, Kedah, Terengganu, Perlis...then, we will face big problems.
"We must take the preparatory steps in Sabah and Sarawak. If there is a flood here, Sabah and Sarawak will not be affected.
"These are the steps we are taking in collaboration with all other ministries, especially the Rural and Regional Development Ministry," he said.
It was reported on Sept 17 that a 50,000-hectare site has been identified in Sabah and Sarawak for rice planting.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the matter had been agreed in principle by Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, but its implementation would require some time.