KUCHING: Sarawak aims to emerge as a significant rice producer and extend support to the Hopoh Association in Peninsular Malaysia through rice sharing initiatives.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said he intends to explore innovative technology leveraging the Batang Lupar’s potential to boost rice production in Sarawak.
He said this pioneering technology aims to harness river water for both electricity generation and paddy irrigation, which is beneficial for rice cultivation.
“This (technology) is new. Whether it works or not, I am keen to try it because if it succeeds later, it could position Sarawak as a key rice producer, and we can supply rice to the Hopoh Association in Peninsular Malaysia.
“We have many rivers, and I want to try with the Batang Lupar. We will use pumps to draw water into an ‘inhibitor’ tank, then channel it through pipes to drive turbines and generate electricity using gravity.
“Whatever goes up must come down. When you put water, it will flow downward, and the flowing water is actually the power source,” he said.
He said this at the Pesta Hopoh Semalaysia 2024 at Imperial Hotel here on Saturday (Apr 27).
Commenting further, Abang Johari said the technology will serve dual-function, one for generating electricity and the other for paddy irrigation.
“Then there will be a lot of water flow from those turbines, where we store that water and then it can become an irrigation system for paddy fields and produce rice,” he added.
Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and his deputy Datuk Sebastian Ting, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap, Kuching South City Council mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, and Sarawak Hopoh Association Datuk Dr Chai Khin Chung.
