‘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
Free Malaysia Today
7 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Govt to review need for law against bullying
Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said hailed the amendment to the Suhakam Act which enabled the appointment of a children's commissioner in Sabah and Sarawak. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : The government will review the need to enact an Anti-Bullying Act that emphasises the establishment of a tribunal to hear bullying cases involving students and children, law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said today. She said there was presently no specific definition or clear punishment for the offence of bullying under any legal provision. 'The word 'bullying' is not specified in the Penal Code, but to be fair, I am quite relieved that we amended and introduced Sections 507B to 507G of the Penal Code. 'We are also fortunate to have amended the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) Act, which enabled the appointment of a children's commissioner in Sabah and Sarawak. 'The move was timely, but to be fair to the education ministry, it already has its own guidelines,' she said at a press conference here. Azalina said Suhakam had voiced concerns that the Child Act 2001 would still apply if both the perpetrator and the victim were children. 'This is a matter for the Cabinet to discuss, whether there should be another process when it involves children, such as setting up a tribunal system, or a different set of laws should be considered to allow rehabilitation to be used as a form of punishment,' she said.
Daily Express
12 hours ago
- Daily Express
Chinese scholars in Sabah for academic study
Published on: Tuesday, August 19, 2025 Published on: Tue, Aug 19, 2025 Text Size: Prof Chen presenting a souvenir to Liew while other officials look on. Kota Kinabalu: Academic research by visiting Chinese scholars will serve as crucial reference material for developing more effective strategies to strengthen Malaysia-China relations, according to Sabah-China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) President Datuk Frankie Liew. This was expressed during China Foreign Affairs University Professor Chen Zhirui and Dr Zhong Dalong, Director of the Malaysian Studies Center at Huaqiao University, Xiamen, visit to the SCCC, last Saturday, for discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation. Advertisement 'We look forward to your academic research serving as valuable reference material to help us formulate more effective strategies in advancing Malaysia-China relations,' Frankie told the visiting academics. He said social sciences and international relations research would significantly contribute to policy formulation, economic cooperation and educational exchanges between the two nations. During the meeting, Frankie provided insights into Sabah's unique position as a bridge between Malaysia and China. He noted that despite comprising only 10 per cent of Sabah's population, the Chinese community of about 400,000 people plays a pivotal role in the State's political, economic, educational and cultural landscape. 'Sabah's Chinese community has established a comprehensive education system, from kindergarten to tertiary institutions with Chinese-language education, making Sabah a stepping-stone for international students from China and South Korea,' he said. The visiting scholars were impressed by Sabah's well-preserved natural environment and multicultural harmony. Chen, a renowned international relations expert who has conducted research at Harvard, Nottingham and Mannheim universities, noted that Sabah defied preconceptions about being underdeveloped. 'East Malaysia has managed to maintain its pristine environment, and its people of various ethnic groups are warm and friendly,' the academics said. Looking ahead, the SCCC will host the Malaysia (Sabah)-China Expo in November, with Frankie encouraging academic participation to foster greater exchanges and cooperation between the two regions. The visit reflects the growing importance of academic collaboration in strengthening the historical ties between Sabah and China, which date back to the 14th century. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Free Malaysia Today
12 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
PKR man mocks loose coalition led by PN
Sungai Petani MP Taufiq Johari said the addition of smaller parties is not likely to make PAS 'more palatable to our friends in Sabah and Sarawak'. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : PKR's Taufiq Johari has mocked plans by parties outside the government bloc for the formation of a loose coalition to hold the administration accountable and highlight issues affecting the people. In a statement, Taufiq said a closer look at its composition showed that apart from PAS and Bersatu, the group would comprise 'parties with little to no representation'. The coalition, according to Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, will also consist of Gerakan, Pejuang, Muda, the Malaysian Indian People's Party, Putra, Berjasa, Urimai, the Malaysian Advancement Party, and the National Indian Muslim Alliance Party. 'This then raises the question of whether it is a real representative collaboration or a desperate gamble by parties who are on the fringe,' he said. The Sungai Petani MP also asked if the coalition would see a reversal of fortunes by parties who have been losing their deposits. 'Nor do I think that adding the smaller parties will make PAS more palatable to our friends in Sabah and Sarawak,' he said. Nevertheless, he said he looked forward to seeing the parties involved explain the collaboration to their hardcore supporters. 'It will be interesting to see what they have in common besides wanting to quarrel with the Madani administration.' Muhyiddin announced the loose coalition after chairing a meeting with the parties involved last night. He said the coalition, whose name would be revealed later, would not be a formally registered political bloc. It would however allow the opposition to bring together party leaders, even those outside Perikatan Nasional, to discuss key issues and propose solutions to help the people, he said.
