Latest news with #StephenRundiUtom
The Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Fourth edition of rabies in Borneo conference coming up
KUCHING: The Rabies in Borneo (RIB) Conference enters its fourth edition this year and will be held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Sept 30 and Oct 1. Organised by Place Borneo Sdn Bhd and the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak, the event is supported by the Sarawak Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, the State Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government and Business Events Sarawak. Place Borneo in a statement said the conference comes at a crucial time, as Sarawak continues to battle rabies outbreaks with three new cases reported in Kuching, Samarahan and Bintulu between May 1 and 9 this year. 'According to the Sarawak Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, since the outbreak began in 2017, authorities have vaccinated 267,883 animals and conducted 4,858 tests, with 23 percent returning positive—a stark reminder of the virus's ongoing presence,' the statement said. Despite prevention efforts, it said the disease continues to impact both animals and people and the RIB 2025 theme, 'Rabies-Free Borneo: Uniting People, Animals, and Communities,' signified the urgent need for collective action. Sarawak Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said rabies is not just a veterinary issue, but a public health and community issue and the state government remains fully committed to eliminate it once and for all. 'This conference is a crucial step in reaffirming our shared vision: a Rabies-Free Borneo. Together, we can and must end this outbreak,' he added. More information on the conference can be obtained at
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak records 8.6 pct rise in palm oil FFB production this year
Dr Rundi holds up the text of his ministerial winding-up speech. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (May 27): Sarawak has produced 4.85 million tonnes of oil palm's Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB), marking an 8.6 per cent increase compared to 4.47 million tonnes in the same period last year, said Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom. The Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister added that Crude Palm Oil (CPO) production also rose by 3.7 per cent to 0.91 million tonnes. 'However, the production of Crude Palm Kernel Oil (CPKO) has recorded a 7.8 per cent decrease, from 86,530 metric tonnes to 79,762 metric tonnes,' he said during his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday. Dr Rundi highlighted that Sarawak's average FFB yield increased to 3.32 metric tonnes per hectare in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 3.08 metric tonnes in 2024. He revealed that the Oil Extraction Rate (OER) from January to March 2025 recorded a declining trend, achieving 18.9 per cent, which is lower compared to 19.7 per cent during the same period in 2024. 'Similarly, the OER for CPKO declined from 45.8 per cent to 44.5 per cent during this period. 'The decline was primarily due to the adverse impact of heavy rain, flooding, and ongoing replanting programme,' he added. Dr Stephen Rundi Utom DUN sitting fresh fruit bunches oil palm
New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Sarawak needs 260,000 metric tonnes of rice by 2030 to meet domestic demand
KUCHING: Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the state will need to produce around 260,000 metric tonnes of rice to meet domestic demand by 2030. By that year, the state's population is projected to reach about 3.2 million people, he said. "Therefore, my ministry, together with relevant agencies, is actively identifying suitable state land to be developed specifically for padi cultivation, to meet domestic demand," he said during his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly today. He said that as of this month, a total of 11,700ha has been identified for large-scale padi cultivation in the Kuching, Serian, Sri Aman, Kapit and Limbang divisions. He said the state Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) is preparing documents to conduct a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) survey to obtain topographic data. The survey is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2025. Dr Rundi said his ministry will continue identifying additional suitable state land, with the goal of expanding dedicated padi cultivation areas to at least 3,300ha by the end of 2025. He said his ministry is also actively exploring the development of infrastructure on native customary rights (NCR) land to support the expansion of paddy cultivation areas. He said that since the beginning of this year, the ministry has identified 28 potential NCR land sites across Sarawak, covering a total area of 9,700ha. However, he said developing NCR land requires careful negotiation and strong community involvement, adding that such engagement is crucial to ensure development moves forward with the full consent and collaboration of landowners. "To date, we have successfully conducted 24 dialogues and outreach sessions involving approximately 1,200 participants across Sarawak. "Besides intensifying expansion through large-scale paddy cultivation, my ministry also actively promotes small-scale padi cultivation, especially within DID's existing paddy schemes. "According to recent agricultural statistics, the number of registered padifarmers has dropped significantly from approximately 72,800 in 2022 to 48,000 in 2024," he said, urging farmers in Sarawak to actively participate in padi cultivation. He also called on the younger generation in Sarawak to embrace modern and efficient farming methods for padi production. He said his ministry will continue to introduce high-yielding varieties, promote the adoption of modern farming techniques, and help farmers implement best practices in agriculture, including the use of new technologies and sustainable farming methods. "By growing our own rice, we will fulfil our own consumption needs," he said, noting that self-reliance is crucial in safeguarding family food security and ensuring that future generations have sufficient, fresh and quality rice to eat. He said Sarawak imported around 192,000 metric tonnes of rice valued at RM511 million last year.
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
12 companies show interest in commercial padi cultivation in Sarawak
KUCHING: A total of 12 private companies have registered their interest in commercial padi cultivation projects in Sarawak, which is one of the strategies the state government undertook to become a net rice exporter by 2030. Sarawak Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said all these projects would be carried out on state lands utilising the design, build, operate and transfer (DBOT) model. 'This is part of our plan to modernise and commercialise paddy farming by involving both the public and private sectors,' he said when winding up for his ministry at the State Legislative Assembly here, today. Rundi said the DBOT model incorporates the design and construction of necessary infrastructures, the use of modern technology and machinery for farming, and then, eventually, the transfer of management to local stakeholders for long-term sustainability. 'Currently, the state financial secretary is preparing standardised DBOT guidelines and a standard operating procedure to ensure a clear framework for this project,' he said. Meanwhile, large-scale paddy cultivation on native customary rights (NCR) land will be implemented through private sector participation via leasing or joint venture models. Rundi said this would require engagement and consent from the landowners as active involvement and continuous support from them and other stakeholders was pertinent to achieving self-sufficiency in Sarawak. 'Through unity, collective effort and God willing, we can successfully achieve our goals in the paddy development industry for economic resilience and, of course, food security,' he added.
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
12 firms show interest in commercial padi cultivation in Sarawak
KUCHING: A total of 12 private companies have registered their interest in commercial padi cultivation projects in Sarawak, which is one of the strategies the state government undertook to become a net rice exporter by 2030. Sarawak Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said all these projects would be carried out on state lands utilising the design, build, operate and transfer (DBOT) model. 'This is part of our plan to modernise and commercialise paddy farming by involving both the public and private sectors,' he said when winding up for his ministry at the State Legislative Assembly here, today. Rundi said the DBOT model incorporates the design and construction of necessary infrastructures, the use of modern technology and machinery for farming, and then, eventually, the transfer of management to local stakeholders for long-term sustainability. 'Currently, the state financial secretary is preparing standardised DBOT guidelines and a standard operating procedure to ensure a clear framework for this project,' he said. Meanwhile, large-scale paddy cultivation on native customary rights (NCR) land will be implemented through private sector participation via leasing or joint venture models. Rundi said this would require engagement and consent from the landowners as active involvement and continuous support from them and other stakeholders was pertinent to achieving self-sufficiency in Sarawak. 'Through unity, collective effort and God willing, we can successfully achieve our goals in the paddy development industry for economic resilience and, of course, food security,' he added.
