The Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill 2026 is designed to empower Sarawak to manage, develop and sustain its padi and rice industry for the benefit of its rakyat.
Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said food security remains one of the most critical priorities for any nation as access to sufficient and stable food supplies is essential to the wellbeing and livelihood of the people.
In Malaysia, he said, the agrofood sector plays a central role in sustaining this security with rice serving as the nation’s staple good thus ensuring a consistent, adequate and reliable supply of rice is vital to strengthening food resilience and reducing dependency on external sources.
“The padi and rice industry at the national level is currently governed under the Padi and Rice Control Act 1994 with policy and regulatory oversight by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security with operation support by Padiberas Nasional Berhad.
“I wish to emphasise that the provisions under this Bill are intended to complement the existing federal framework, particularly in strengthening the state’s role in development, coordination and enhancement of the padi and rice industry within Sarawak,” he said.
He said this when tabling the Bill on the second day of Sarawak Legislative Assembly
(DUN) sitting today.
Recognising the importance of regulating this industry, Dr Rundi said Sarawak seeks to establish a state agency to oversee and drive the sustainable development of padi cultivation and rice production.
He said the Bill introduces a comprehensive legal framework to facilitate a state-led transformation of the padi and rice industry.
“The Bill is intended to operate in tandem with the existing legal and regulatory framework, complementing current laws and policies in advancing national food security with particular emphasis on the needs of Sarawak. It shall not contravene or supersede any provision of Federal law as it is designed to function within the state’s constitutional and legislative competence, focusing on areas such as production planning, distribution management, farmer development and monitoring system,” he said.
Dr Rundi also said the Bill provides a legal platform for the state to exercise these functions and may, where appropriate, accommodate the delegation of powers from the Federal government.
“In doing so, it ensures that Sarawak can exercise meaningful control over its padi and rice industry without infringing upon federal authority while providing legal certainty and clarity for state-led initiatives,” he added.
