KUCHING: Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (FELCRA) Bhd will establish collaboration with the state government to create paddy estate in Sarawak.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi stated that such collaboration is needed to increase the food security in Sarawak and Malaysia in general.
“This will be done on a large scale, hence, it will provide supply for domestic consumption throughout the country,” he said.
This was said during a press conference after chairing a coordination meeting between the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) and Sarawak government at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.
However, he said that the state government will announce this matter at a later date when its agreement is reached.
“It will be announced once it has received approval by the Sarawak Cabinet and the announcement would be made by the Premier (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg),” he added.
In light of this, Zahid said, what is important now is the proactive measures implemented by the Sarawak government and the Federal government through the ministry (KKDW).
“This includes implementing the people’s needs and also the need for the rural infrastructure in Sarawak that should be implemented immediately,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian; Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; and federal Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang.
