Latest news with #HenrySumAgong
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Lawas MP: Cross-border cooperation key to spurring Adan rice market
Henry (fourth left) strikes the gong to officiate the event while others look on. 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
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
‘Cross-border cooperation key to spurring Adan rice market'
Henry (fourth left) strikes the gong to officiate the event while others look on. 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
Borneo Post
15-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak's first mozzarella cheese plant in Merapok set to start production this August
Buffaloes grazing at the Meragang breeding station. LAWAS (May 15): The Green Valley Dairy Farm, Sarawak's pioneer cheese producer, is set to roll out its first batch of mozzarella cheese from its processing plant in Merapok here this August. Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail said this production will put the RM16-million facility located at the Meragang Buffalo Breeding Station on the international radar as a producer of quality buffalo milk mozzarella for international markets. 'This facility will position Lawas as the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the Southeast Asian region, targeting exports to European and regional markets. 'With financing from Agro Bank, the installation of this cheese processing equipment will begin this June, and production is targeted to come on stream in August,' he said after a working visit to the Meragang Buffalo Breeding Station on Wednesday. Accompanying him were Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong and Lawas Veterinary officer Robine Asut. Dr Abdul Rahman added that the Meragang station will house over 700 Murrah buffaloes from Australia, including over 200 heads in the first phase. 'More than 200 Murrah buffaloes imported from Australia are currently being quarantined in Miri, and are expected to be brought to Lawas by the end of this month. 'Meanwhile, for the second phase, the Veterinary Department will receive more than 500 buffaloes of the same species by the end of the year, bringing the total number of buffaloes we expect being placed at the Meragang station close to 1,000,' he said. Murrah buffaloes can produce between 16 litres to 20 litres of milk daily compared to the current paddy buffaloes, which produce less than six litres per day. Mozzarella cheese is currently processed in Langkawi and is halal, as well as produced on a small scale in Selangor. The upcoming Lawas production will be the biggest in the country. In view of this, the Green Valley Dairy Farm has linked up with potential buyers from the Middle East, Africa, and Europe for export of its mozzarella cheese products through the global trade network in Dubai. Green Valley Dairy Farm merapok Mozzarella cheese
