logo
Malaysia eyes Japan's flood mitigation system to boost local rice production [WATCH]

Malaysia eyes Japan's flood mitigation system to boost local rice production [WATCH]

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia can learn from and emulate Japan's advanced flood control infrastructure to strengthen the country's local rice production.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said Japan's highly efficient flood mitigation system could be adapted to suit Malaysia's conditions in efforts to boost national food security.
"I believe there is much we can learn and adapt to our environment, especially their highly efficient flood control system.
"This technology can be utilised to help us enhance local rice production, which currently meets only about 60 per cent of the country's actual needs," he said in a Facebook post today.
Mohamad is currently in Japan on a working visit aimed at expanding agricultural cooperation between the two countries and engaging with key players in Japan's agricultural industry.
He also said he was impressed by Japan's modern farming methods and the use of high-tech equipment, including driverless rice-planting machines powered by information technology.
"This is a prime example of how agriculture can be modernised to address labour shortages and climate change challenges," he added.
During his visit to rice farming areas in Echizen, Japan, Mohamad met a Malaysian who has been working in the country's agricultural sector for the past three years.
"This proves that our youth are capable of mastering international-level agricultural technologies and practices.
"This visit provided valuable insights, especially in our efforts to increase domestic rice production and strengthen food security," he said.
In addition to visiting rice cultivation sites, Mohamad also held a bilateral meeting with Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Koizumi Shinjiro, in Tokyo.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Cuts hit contract workers
Cuts hit contract workers

The Star

time14 minutes ago

  • The Star

Cuts hit contract workers

Meeting of minds: Anwar receiving a courtesy call from Muhammad Shahrul in Putrajaya. — Photo courtesy of Anwar's Facebook page PUTRAJAYA: The move by PETRONAS to trim its workforce by about 10% involves mostly contract workers, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'It mostly involves contract (positions),' Anwar said when asked to comment on reports that PETRONAS would cut about 5,000 employees as part of a 'right-sizing' process. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said this after performing Friday prayers with over 500 congregants at Surau Al-Ikhwan, Jalan Pinggiran Putra, near here yesterday, Bernama reported. Also present was Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. On Thursday, PETRONAS president and group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tengku Muham­mad Taufik Tengku Kamadjaja Aziz was reported to have said that the national oil and gas company would cut about 10% of its workforce as part of its right-sizing and restructuring process. He also denied that the state-owned company would exit its business in Canada. PETRONAS had previously stated that it needs to right-size its workforce to ensure the company's sustainability in the decades to come. It has nearly 50,000 employees, according to its website. Separately, Anwar said he would contact his Thai counterpart, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, regarding the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. Anwar said that as the Asean Chair, Malaysia took note of the developments in both countries. 'We will issue a statement (on the outcome of the discussion with Paetongtarn) later,' he told reporters. On May 28, Thai and Cambodian troops were involved in a brief skirmish in Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province and Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, which resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. Cambodia has since announ­ced its intention to bring the border dispute to the Inter­national Court of Justice. Thailand, meanwhile, has reportedly reiterated its commitment to resolving the issue peacefully in accordance with international law, as well as existing agreements and memoranda with Cambodia. Earlier, Anwar received a courtesy call from the new Malaysian Ambassador to the United States, Tan Sri Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob. Anwar said that they discussed, among others, measures to strengthen bilateral ties between Malaysia and the United States, including strategic efforts to attract quality and high-impact foreign investments. 'Among (the topics) touched on included strengthening Malaysia-US ties as well as efforts to attract quality and high-impact foreign investments from the country,' he said in a Facebook post today. The Prime Minister also wished Muhammad Shahrul all the best on his appointment, while stating his confidence in the former to elevate Malaysia's aspirations, image and reputation to the highest level. On June 3, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, presented the instrument of appointment to Muhammad Shahrul in a ceremony at Istana Negara.

O'Briens Malaysia: Fresh, fast and balanced
O'Briens Malaysia: Fresh, fast and balanced

The Sun

time15 minutes ago

  • The Sun

O'Briens Malaysia: Fresh, fast and balanced

ON the sandwich shop spectrum, O'Briens Irish Sandwich Cafe Malaysia (O'Briens) falls on the slightly more premium end but customers are known to get what they pay for – sandwiches crafted to international standards with high-quality, fresh ingredients. Speaking to theSun, O'Briens managing director and master franchise holder Brian Pua explained that the success of the brand over the past two decades is the result of his team's relentless commitment in upholding the highest standards in food quality, customer service and healthy food products. Opening its first outlet in Malaysia at Great Eastern Mall in Kuala Lumpur back in 2002, O'Briens quickly expanded under Pua's stewardship to over 30 locations, largely in urban areas. Though the 'Irish' in its name may give some pause, Pua stressed that O'Briens is halal-certified, which was his very intention from the opening of the initial Malaysian outlet. 'As a cafe offering what many consider comfort food, it was important for us to target the halal status. Now, all our food is halal-certified, so our Muslim customers can enjoy their meals with confidence,' Pua explained. 'From the start, it was very clear how we would serve our customers,' he said. Healthy eating, local flavours O'Briens was one of the first businesses in the country's food and beverage landscape to push the concept of fresh and nutritious food – even if the general awareness on how both went hand in hand with living a healthy lifestyle was not as prevalent. Pua believes the pandemic drove a change in attitudes. 'It was when people began to have more awareness on the importance of taking care of their immune system by consuming more natural, fresh food products. 'People now look for meals that support their lifestyle, where they want something balanced, fresh and satisfying. We are proud to be part of that movement and it is great to see so many regulars who have made O'Briens part of their everyday routine,' he said. Yet, O'Briens is not rigid in its offerings. Over time, the brand has adapted – or rather tweaked – its menu to suit local tastes while maintaining its original values. 'Being a Malaysian myself has helped guide O'Briens. In the beginning, we looked at introducing Irish sandwiches, the concept and lifestyle to the Malaysian market. Over time, we looked into the taste of what O'Briens offered,' he said. Giving an example, Pua cited how Malaysians liked spicy food. This eventually led to the O'Briens menu adopting items such as the Piri-Piri Chicken Multigrain and the Volcanic Chicken Wrap. 'Another thing was the demand for vegetarian options and we answered it with a wide range of vegetarian offerings such as the Watercress Sandwich and even those that combined the spicy and vegetarian taste portfolio, such as the Sundried Tomato on Hot Ciabatta, which is popular with vegetarians,' he pointed out. 'We put in the effort to make each and every sandwich have its own unique identity by increasing the taste portfolio, while staying true to our Irish roots and the philosophy of clean, nutritious eating'. Listening to lifestyles Today, O'Briens continues to adapt to what consumers are looking for. To Pua, this means always having his ear to the ground. On top of integrating new technology into its operations, O'Briens is working with the fitness industry, finding new ways to approach the food and beverage landscape. They are already taking into consideration what gym-goers want. 'We have done surveys with them to develop our salads to be low in carbohydrates and high in protein, while striking a balance between the health aspect and the taste of our food,' Pua said. While the brand is known for promoting healthy foods and living, one element is conspiciously missing from its clean and attractive menu – nutritional information for each item, with calories, protein, carbohydrates, fats in gram and so on clearly stated. 'We are currently working on it,' Pua exclaimed with a laugh. 'In fact, our halal quality control team already has all the information for each product and very soon, we will incorporate it into our menu. 'We want our customers to know the nutritional value of what they consume and they can plan their meals. That is also what we want to encourage our customers to do, which is to have a balanced diet,' he said.

Healthy bites, local flavours
Healthy bites, local flavours

The Sun

time16 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Healthy bites, local flavours

ON the sandwich shop spectrum, O'Briens Irish Sandwich Cafe Malaysia (O'Briens) falls on the slightly more premium end but customers are known to get what they pay for – sandwiches crafted to international standards with high-quality, fresh ingredients. Speaking to theSun, O'Briens managing director and master franchise holder Brian Pua explained that the success of the brand over the past two decades is the result of his team's relentless commitment in upholding the highest standards in food quality, customer service and healthy food products. Opening its first outlet in Malaysia at Great Eastern Mall in Kuala Lumpur back in 2002, O'Briens quickly expanded under Pua's stewardship to over 30 locations, largely in urban areas. Though the 'Irish' in its name may give some pause, Pua stressed that O'Briens is halal -certified, which was his very intention from the opening of the initial Malaysian outlet. 'As a cafe offering what many consider comfort food, it was important for us to target the halal status. Now, all our food is halal -certified, so our Muslim customers can enjoy their meals with confidence,' Pua explained. 'From the start, it was very clear how we would serve our customers,' he said. Healthy eating, local flavours O'Briens was one of the first businesses in the country's food and beverage landscape to push the concept of fresh and nutritious food – even if the general awareness on how both went hand in hand with living a healthy lifestyle was not as prevalent. Pua believes the pandemic drove a change in attitudes. 'It was when people began to have more awareness on the importance of taking care of their immune system by consuming more natural, fresh food products. 'People now look for meals that support their lifestyle, where they want something balanced, fresh and satisfying. We are proud to be part of that movement and it is great to see so many regulars who have made O'Briens part of their everyday routine,' he said. Yet, O'Briens is not rigid in its offerings. Over time, the brand has adapted – or rather tweaked – its menu to suit local tastes while maintaining its original values. 'Being a Malaysian myself has helped guide O'Briens. In the beginning, we looked at introducing Irish sandwiches, the concept and lifestyle to the Malaysian market. Over time, we looked into the taste of what O'Briens offered,' he said. Giving an example, Pua cited how Malaysians liked spicy food. This eventually led to the O'Briens menu adopting items such as the Piri-Piri Chicken Multigrain and the Volcanic Chicken Wrap. 'Another thing was the demand for vegetarian options and we answered it with a wide range of vegetarian offerings such as the Watercress Sandwich and even those that combined the spicy and vegetarian taste portfolio, such as the Sundried Tomato on Hot Ciabatta, which is popular with vegetarians,' he pointed out. 'We put in the effort to make each and every sandwich have its own unique identity by increasing the taste portfolio, while staying true to our Irish roots and the philosophy of clean, nutritious eating'. Listening to lifestyles Today, O'Briens continues to adapt to what consumers are looking for. To Pua, this means always having his ear to the ground. On top of integrating new technology into its operations, O'Briens is working with the fitness industry, finding new ways to approach the food and beverage landscape. They are already taking into consideration what gym-goers want. 'We have done surveys with them to develop our salads to be low in carbohydrates and high in protein, while striking a balance between the health aspect and the taste of our food,' Pua said. While the brand is known for promoting healthy foods and living, one element is conspiciously missing from its clean and attractive menu – nutritional information for each item, with calories, protein, carbohydrates, fats in gram and so on clearly stated. 'We are currently working on it,' Pua exclaimed with a laugh. 'In fact, our halal quality control team already has all the information for each product and very soon, we will incorporate it into our menu. 'We want our customers to know the nutritional value of what they consume and they can plan their meals. That is also what we want to encourage our customers to do, which is to have a balanced diet,' he said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store