
Lawas MP: Cross-border cooperation key to spurring Adan rice market
MIRI (May 28): Lawas Member of Parliament Datuk Henry Sum Agong has called on the Lun Bawang community in the highlands of Lawas to strengthen ties not only among themselves but also with neighbouring communities in Long Bawan, North Kalimantan, in a joint effort to enhance Adan rice production.
Speaking at officiating ceremony the 4th Adan Rice Festival at Buduk Nur last Friday, Henry said such collaborations would not only help increase output to meet growing local demand, but also open doors to wider markets.
'With stronger cross-border networking, Adan rice production can be scaled up not just for local consumption but also for markets beyond our borders,' he said at the annual event, held about 150km from Lawas town.
Currently, access to Ba Kelalan from Lawas is only possible via four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles, with the journey taking between four to five hours depending on road conditions.
However, Henry said travel time would be significantly reduced once ongoing Sabah-Sarawak Link Road (SSLR) project is completed within the next five years.
'This infrastructure upgrade will make it easier, faster, and more cost-effective to transport Adan rice to Lawas and other areas, benefiting farmers on both sides of the border,' he elaborated.
Henry noted that demand for Adan rice ― known for its unique aroma and texture ― continues to be encouraging.
He also expressed confidence that improved connectivity will spur the growth of other highland crops and promote eco-tourism development in the area.
Earlier, community leader Penghulu Udan Meru announced that in light of the festival's growing popularity, it has been renamed the Adan Rice Festival from this year onwards, dropping the earlier 'Ba Kelalan' reference to give it a broader appeal.
The festival featured various traditional games, cultural performances, and exhibitions by government agencies aimed at promoting local agriculture and rural entrepreneurship. Adan rice community Henry Sum Agong lead Lun Bawang
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
Corrupt gains will be recovered, it is the people's money, says MACC chief
GEORGE TOWN, July 24 — Leakages and misappropriation in the public sector not only affect the country's financial management, but also erode public trust in government institutions. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said that public funds, which are the mainstay of national development, must be managed with full accountability because misappropriation and weaknesses in internal control systems would lead to abuse of power, wastage and burdening the people. He said that among the major cases involving the misappropriation of public funds were Op Water Sabah, which involved the embezzlement of a water supply project worth RM3.3 billion, and that by a former Youth and Sports Ministry senior officer, who was convicted of 96 charges related to forgery and money laundering. 'The MACC also confiscated various luxury assets worth over RM3.5 billion and forfeited almost RM28 billion in the last five years, which proves our commitment to ensuring that public funds are not misused. 'To those enjoying themselves with corrupt gains, the MACC will take back this money because it is the people's money,' he said when officiating the closing of the 2025 Public Sector Finance and Auditing Seminar (SKPSA) themed Financial Integrity: Enforcing Compliance and Preventing Misappropriation in the Public Service in Teluk Bahang, near here, today. Elaborating, Azam said the proposed tabling of the Government Procurement Bill in Parliament this year is to strengthen the government's procurement system to become more transparent, systematic and based on the law. He also urged public sector accountants and auditors to report any misappropriation or irregularities without fear so as to defend public service integrity. He also hopes that protection for whistleblowers will continue to be enhanced through more effective implementation of the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010. In addition, Azam stressed the need for digital transformation in the government's financial and procurement systems by leveraging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and data analytics, to trace suspicious transactions and prevent corruption at an earlier stage. The SKPSA 2025 is organised by Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz School of Accountancy (TISSA) and Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), in collaboration with the MACC's Financial Analysis Division. Also present were UUM deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof Dr Ram Al Jaffri Saad, Penang MACC director Datuk Mohd Fuad Bee Basrah Bee, UUM School of Accounting deputy dean Mohd Hadzrami Harun Rasit, the university's senior officers, and participants nationwide. — Bernama


Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Sabahans ‘numb' over delays in infrastructure projects, says Warisan MP
Kota Belud MP Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis criticised contractors and lobbyists for contributing to the chronic delays in completing infrastructure projects in Sabah. KUALA LUMPUR : Sabahans have become desensitised to infrastructure delays after years of seeing numerous projects stalled or left incomplete, a Warisan MP said today. Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis (Warisan-Kota Belud) criticised contractors and lobbyists for contributing to the chronic delays, stating that many aggressively lobbied for projects they were not capable of executing. 'My message to the contractors and lobbyists is, if you want to submit tenders, be honest about your capacity. 'If you think you can't handle the project, don't lobby for it. Do not create more problems for others,' she said when debating the 2025 Auditor-General's Report Series 2 in the Dewan Rakyat. Last month, Sabah works minister Shahelmey Yahya said physical progress on Package 20 of the Pan Borneo Highway project in Sabah remained low at just 1.6% despite letters of acceptance having been issued eight months ago. In a Bernama report, Shahelmy, who is also the state's deputy chief minister III, attributed the delay to ongoing land and property assessment processes. Isnaraissah also raised concerns over the multiple layers of subcontracting in federal infrastructure projects, saying the system left no actual 'doers' on the ground in Sabah. 'The ones awarded the project hire subcontractors, who in turn hire other subcontractors. In the end, no one takes responsibility and the work doesn't get done,' she said. She questioned the works ministry's decision to use the selected pre-qualified open tender procurement system for Phase 1B of the Pan Borneo Highway project, an issue which was also flagged in the Auditor-General's Report Series 2. The report, tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday, said open tenders were more suitable to ensure accountability and transparency in the procurement process.


Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
Fahmi: GRS-Pakatan talks ‘healthy and productive', unity key to stability in Sabah
PAPAR, July 23 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) communications director Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said seat negotiations between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and PH ahead of the upcoming state election are progressing smoothly, with both coalitions aligned in their goal of ensuring continued political stability. Without going into detail, Fahmi described the ongoing talks between the federal coalition and Sabah's ruling bloc as 'very healthy and productive.' 'We all want political stability in Sabah, and I believe that is also the desire of both the prime minister and the chief minister,' he said, referring to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor respectively. Amanah vice-president Datuk Dzulkefly Ahmad added that unity remains the cornerstone of the coalition's strategy — not just for federal polls, but also at the state level. 'I'm one of those who firmly believe that the winning strategy is on our side. 'If we maintain unity, we can sustain political stability, ensure growth and prosperity, and respond to the people's demand for good governance,' he said. The GRS-led Sabah government under Hajiji has consistently expressed its preference to continue working with its national partners in PH, rather than contesting independently, citing political stability as a key factor. Hajiji has said the two coalitions will soon formalise their pact and announce the outcome of seat negotiations. Fahmi added that both sides recognise Sabahans' desire for continuity and progress, not political upheaval. 'The rakyat want stability, they want development, they want prosperity. That's why staying the course with a unity strategy is the best way to win — even in Sabah,' said Dzulkefly.