Latest news with #CommodityandRegionalDevelopment
New Straits Times
a day ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Abang Johari: New St Peter's Church building a symbol of vision, resilience and faith
KUCHING: The Gothic-inspired St Peter's Church building in Padungan here, one of the most iconic buildings in the city, was officially opened today, five years after its construction commenced in 2019. Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said the church building is not just a place for prayer and reflection, it is a symbol of vision, resilience and deep-rooted faith. "The presence of St Peter's Church among other religious houses in close proximity is a powerful testament to the religious harmony and unity that Sarawak is so proud to uphold," he said in his speech at the opening ceremony. His speech was read by his deputy, Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas. Abang Johari said Sarawakians are blessed to live in a land where mutual respect and peaceful coexistence are not mere aspirations, but a way of life. "This church adds further beauty to that legacy and will undoubtedly be a feature tourism attraction in the years to come," he said. "What is even more heartening is the spirit of togetherness that made this vision a reality." He lauded the remarkable collaboration shown by the Catholic community, joined hand-in-hand by friends and supporters from other faiths and walks of life. He said whether through generous funding or dedicated physical labour, this has truly been an exemplary showcase of what a united community can achieve. He also said it is the shining model of how shared purpose and collective goodwill can give rise to greatness. Later, Uggah, on behalf of the premier, handing over a RM1 million cheque to the church in further aid to the building fund. The RM38-million church, which can accommodate up to 1,000 parishioners, first opened its doors for the midnight mass on Christmas Eve last year. The new church also features an impressive collection of stained glasses that have been handmade and expertly designed by Italians, as well as incorporating the Brooke family crest and the Sarawak emblem in two stained glasses, along with local Dayak motifs showcasing the uniqueness of Sarawak's culture and history. Thye church's history dated back to 1937 with the purchase of seven acres of swampland in Padungan by Monsignor Aloysius Hopfgartner to foster the growth of the local church. With the availability of the land, he later initiated the construction of the church, which was completed in December 1949. Since then, it had undergone several further developments by the 1960s to accommodate the growing congregation. Present at the event were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundie, former federal minister Tan Sri Leo Moggie, Penang Cardinal Bishop Datuk Seri Sebastian Francis, Kuching Archbishop Datuk Dr Simon Poh, Melaka-Johor Diocese Bishop Berard Paul and St Peter's Church rector Father Vincent Chin.
Borneo Post
13-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Set clear roadmap to boost rice self-sufficiency, rep tells S'wak govt
Yong says Sarawak should also conduct a comprehensive review and audit of all major padi cultivation projects implemented since 2010. – Bernama photo KUCHING (June 13): Pending assemblywoman, Violet Yong, has urged the Sarawak government to devise a clear and measurable roadmap to raise the state's rice self-sufficiency level to at least 60 per cent, in a bid to strengthen food security. She said the state should also conduct a comprehensive review and audit of all major padi cultivation projects implemented since 2010. 'I also urge the state government to publish data on rice production and progress made under recent state initiatives,' she said in response to State Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom's recent statement that warned of a potential rice supply crisis if exports from Vietnam and India were disrupted. While global risks are real, Yong said the situation reflects deeper structural gaps in Sarawak's food security planning. She expressed regret that Sarawak's rice self-sufficiency remains low, hovering around 38 to 40 per cent despite decades of development and repeated initiatives aimed at strengthening local production. 'This is despite numerous initiatives and repeated commitments to strengthen local rice production,' she said. She said Sarawak had seen several major padi initiatives fall short of expectations over the years, citing the mini estates in Sungai Tulai and Sungai Tekap (Meradong), covering 662 hectares, which have officially been acknowledged as failures with no meaningful output. 'The much-publicised Jelapang Padi Batang Lupar, announced in 2013, remains largely dormant with no visible results more than a decade later. 'Traditional padi schemes in Samarahan and Sri Aman continue to struggle with the same unresolved issues including poor irrigation, lack of mechanisation and minimal state follow-through. 'These are not isolated setbacks but they point to systemic shortcomings in planning, execution and accountability,' she said. She noted that while newer efforts like Gelombang Padi and AgriHub@Gedong may look promising on paper, the public has yet to see solid evidence of their effectiveness. She said there must be greater transparency and accountability, particularly regarding actual yields, hectares genuinely cultivated and the long-term sustainability of these programmes. Without concrete performance data, Yong warned, such initiatives risk becoming little more than headline-driven projects with limited impact. 'As we move forward, it is essential that the Sarawak government goes beyond repeated announcements and shifts focus to consistent execution, robust monitoring and meaningful support for farmers on the ground especially in rural areas. 'Food security cannot be treated as an afterthought or a reactive measure. It requires clear direction, long-term commitment and genuine collaboration. 'Sarawak must plan with foresight, not scramble in crisis,' she said. food security padi self sufficiency violet yong
Borneo Post
10-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Dr Rundi: Sarawak eyes complete agro supply chain to boost rural incomes
Dr Rundi (second left) visits the GS30 hybrid rice cultivation project site at Tanjung Purun Rice Cultivation Scheme in Lundu. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (June 10): Sarawak is committed to strengthening its food and commodity sectors by establishing a complete supply chain from upstream to downstream levels, to ensure that agricultural and livestock products can be marketed sustainably and profitably, said Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom. The Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister said this integrated approach is key to securing stable incomes for the people and transforming the state's economic landscape. 'In this day and age, we can no longer live by the 'kais pagi makan pagi, kais petang makan petang' (live from hand to mouth) concept. Whatever we strive for must yield positive returns, not just enough to get by. 'Therefore, we need to establish a complete supply chain, covering everything from upstream to downstream,' he said after visiting the GS30 Hybrid Rice Cultivation Project site at the Tanjung Purun Rice Cultivation Scheme in Lundu today. Dr Rundi stressed that the development of the food industry can no longer rely solely on conventional approaches but instead, it requires a mindset shift that views this sector as a true economic opportunity. 'The 'tagang' (controlled fishing) system and agricultural practices in the state are still very slow and overly conventional. 'So, we need to change our way of thinking so that we can produce high-income products. Our target is for household incomes to reach RM15,000 per month,' he said. He explained that such income levels can be achieved if a complete supply chain is in place, along with job opportunities and income sources from farming, fisheries, and livestock. For this reason, he said, a mindset change is necessary so that the agro-food sector is no longer seen as merely subsistence-based, but as an economic field with lucrative returns, as is the case in developed countries. 'In New Zealand and Australia, farmers are highly regarded. We can reach that level too, if this industry is developed in a planned and strategic manner,' he added. In this regard, Dr Rundi called on the State Agriculture Department and research officers to identify suitable production zones for premium products such as dabai, black pepper, and pandan coconut. 'For example, crops like dabai and black pepper are only suitable in specific areas like Song, Kapit, and central Sarawak. If we plant them elsewhere, the taste and quality won't be the same. 'So, we must identify the strengths of each area and focus on developing based on those advantages,' he remarked. agro-food sector Dr Stephen Rundi Utom food supply chain lead
Borneo Post
05-06-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
S'wak's first veterinary institute in Semenggok set to address vet shortage in state
Dr Rundi speaks to reporters at the PPES Ternak Sdn Bhd Halal Abattoir Complex. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (June 5): Sarawak's first-ever veterinary institute is now in its final stages of planning and approval, marking a significant milestone in the state's push to strengthen its livestock and animal health services. State Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the veterinary school, which will be located in Semenggok, is a crucial step in addressing the chronic shortage of veterinarians in the state. 'We only have 15 veterinarians in Sarawak. I went to Brazil – they have 4,000 there. 'So bear with us because we are doing our best (to address the shortage),' he said when met during a working visit to the PPES Ternak Sdn Bhd Halal Abattoir Complex in Siburan, here today. Dr Rundi revealed that the establishment of the veterinary institute is in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), particularly through its Bintulu campus, following in-principle agreement with the university. According to him, having a dedicated veterinary faculty in Sarawak will allow the state to train its own experts and reduce reliance on external manpower, especially from neighbouring countries. Nevertheless, he said Sarawak in the short term may still need to source veterinarians from Indonesia or Peninsular Malaysia to make up for the current shortage. He also noted that once operational, the Semenggok-based institute will be able to produce around 50 veterinary graduates annually, greatly enhancing the state's capacity to provide animal healthcare and support its growing agriculture sector. Dr Rundi also informed that he, together with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, have been invited to an event with UPM at the end of this month. 'There, we will officially take on UPM Bintulu as Sarawak's UPM. Even the Sultan of Selangor, who is UPM Chancellor, has shown strong support for this initiative,' he said. He said with UPM Sarawak in place, the accreditation process for the institute will be much easier. 'In principle, we've more or less finalised everything. We are working on the financing and other logistics.' The plan to establish such an institute in Sarawak was first discussed as early as 2022, with the state government viewing it as a key priority to improve food security, zoonotic disease control, and workforce development in animal-related industries. Dr Rundi said with neighbouring Sabah having more veterinarians than Sarawak, it became clear that Sarawak needed to build its own capacity to match and eventually improve its veterinary services. The new institute, when completed, will be only the third of its kind in Malaysia after UPM Serdang and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, and the first such faculty in Borneo. It will offer both Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and Diploma in Animal Health and Husbandry (DKHP) programmes, with an expected intake of 50 and 70 students respectively each year. 'This is not just about numbers. Once we have our own university and institute, we can plan for what Sarawak truly needs in forestry, agriculture, and manpower. 'We take control of our future,' said Dr Rundi. Also present during the visit were Dr Rundi's deputy minister Datuk Martin Ben, and Sarawak Economic Development Corporation chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain. Dr Stephen Rundi Utom lead semenggok veterinary institute
Borneo Post
05-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Dr Rundi: Livestock sector transformation key to building S'wak's sustainable agro-economy, boost SSL
(From second left) Dr Rundi, Abdul Aziz and other officials inspect the finished products during their stop at the Sara-Bif corned beef factory. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (June 5): Sarawak is setting its sights on transforming its livestock sector into a fully integrated halal agro-industry with ambitions that extend well beyond achieving self-sufficiency, said Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom. The Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development said the state's ongoing development of a complete livestock supply chain from upstream production to downstream processing is key to building a sustainable agro-economy. 'This is part of our ability to create a complete supply chain. We've tried many schemes and our target is to produce 60,000 head of cattle by 2030, which will bring our self-sufficiency level (SSL) for beef and related meat products up to 25 per cent. 'Sarawak's current SSL stands at around 16 per cent, up from 13 per cent previously,' he told reporters during a working visit to the PPES Ternak Sdn Bhd Halal Abattoir Complex in Siburan, here today. He said the Halal Abattoir Complex has already started producing cornmeal and other downstream products, while efforts to diversify Sarawak's livestock offerings are taking shape in regions such as Lawas, where mozzarella cheese production is expected to begin by the end of the year. Plans are also in motion to expand production of halal canned corned beef using Sarawak black pepper, targeting both domestic and export markets, he added. Dr Rundi further stressed the importance for agencies under his ministry to continue working together to ensure the agricultural sector becomes sustainable, by building market access into every production plan. 'The reason we're facing problems in agriculture is because we've never had a complete supply chain. People are willing to plant or raise livestock, but the market is often uncertain and that must change,' he said. The visit to the PPES Ternak Sdn Bhd Halal Abattoir Complex, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), reflects the government's continued commitment to strengthening the state's long-term food security. It also aimed to provide Dr Rundi with a firsthand understanding of PPES Ternak's integrated supply chain operations – from feedlot farming to meat processing – and assess its strategic contributions to Sarawak's overall food ecosystem. A statement issued by Dr Rundi's ministry in conjunction with the visit said the programme featured a detailed tour of PPES Ternak's core facilities, including the Siburan Halal Abattoir Complex, corned beef processing factory, and the feedlot centre. 'All facilities are certified under Halal, MESTI, and HACCP standards, reflecting the company's dedication to producing high-quality, hygienic, and traceable meat products for local and regional markets. 'This engagement also underscored the importance of increasing Sarawak's cattle SSL to reduce reliance on imported meat,' said the ministry, adding that it recognises the vital role of PPES Ternak in supporting the state's Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 and helping position Sarawak as a regional food hub. 'The visit reaffirms the state government's commitment to working closely with industry stakeholders to ensure that every household in Sarawak has access to safe, affordable, and sustainably sourced protein which is a cornerstone of building a resilient and food-secure future for the state,' it added. Accompanying Dr Rundi during the visit were his deputy minister Datuk Martin Ben and SEDC chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain. agro-industry Dr Stephen Rundi Utom livestock self sufficiency
