LAWAS: A homegrown brand from the Lawas Highlands, LINAWA, has secured halal certification for its Adan rice and Arabica coffee product lines, paving the way for wider market expansion across Sabah and Sarawak.
According to a press release, the certification allows the products to move beyond online sales and enter hypermarkets in both states.
Developed by the Lun Bawang community, the brand produces three varieties of Adan rice, namely white, red and black, cultivated using natural highland water sources in Lawas.
Its Arabica coffee beans are grown in Long Sukang, Long Luping and nearby villages, targeting consumers seeking pure highland-grown coffee.
Among its flagship offerings is the Adan Arabica coffee blend, which combines Adan rice with Arabica beans to create a distinct flavour and aroma profile.
The blend, developed by Lun Bawang farmers, also contains dietary fibre and antioxidants derived from the Adan rice.
LINAWA products have also gained international recognition after receiving an Outstanding Award and a Silver Award at the Malaysia Technology Expo Sustainable Energy and Green Technology International Innovation Awards.
Koperasi Usahasama Long Sukang Lawas Berhad president and Kampung Berayong Tengah village chief Sulaiman Palong said the certification marked an important step in strengthening the economic potential of the highland community.
“These products represent more than local innovation. They reflect the resilience and potential of our highland communities. The halal certification allows us to reach a wider market and grow sustainably,” he said.
The products are developed under the Towards Uplifting Lives Programme (TULiP), a social impact initiative by PETRONAS aimed at strengthening community entrepreneurship and improving livelihoods in Lawas.
Since 2021, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS Institute of Smart and Sustainable Living, with support from PETRONAS and Yayasan Hasanah, has worked with the community on entrepreneurship training, mentoring, product innovation and market access.
Koperasi Usahasama Long Sukang Lawas Berhad currently has 30 members supporting local farmers and the commercialisation of highland agricultural products.
