KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 — The government is urged to implement more proactive approaches to increase rice production and support local padi cultivation to ensure a continuous and sufficient rice supply in Malaysia.
Rasah MP Cha Kee Chin, who raised the matter during the debate session for the Supply Bill 2024 (policy level) in the Dewan Rakyat today, said it was high time for the government to reduce reliance on the import market, especially when obtaining rice.
“We should not put an 80 per cent target for local rice production by 2030, instead we should aim that by 2035, 100 per cent of rice in the country should be locally sourced…that is the goal we should strive for by implementing all our efforts.
“We must reduce reliance on imports. We must remember that even though we have the means to buy (rice from) foreign countries…once they have a shortage of their produce, they will restrict exports to other countries, and we will become victims,” he said.
Cha, also the chairman of the Special Select Committee on Domestic Trade, Entrepreneurship, Cost of Living and Agriculture, urged the government to empower smart agriculture as implemented in Japan to ensure sufficient food supply for the people.
“Japan has a stable sale supply and the capability to provide 100 per cent or more of its rice to a population of 125 million people, of which over 50 per cent of its farmers are aged 60 and above.
“They are ageing (but) the farmers do not use it as an excuse, and their productivity remains high because they use smart agriculture,” he said.
Also raised during the debate session were issues involving rare earth elements (REE), public higher education institutions (IPTA) tuition fees, and the tourism sector.
Regarding REE, Kubang Kerian MP Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man wanted the government to provide expertise in REE exploration to ensure the states with reserves of the resource can fully utilise it.
He said seven states have been identified as having huge REE reserves which can contribute to the country’s revenue. Without the expertise, the reserves would be encroached upon, the resource stolen and smuggled out.
In the education sector, Pekan MP Datuk Seri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali proposed using the waqf system to help reduce tuition fees at IPTAs, especially for the benefit of B40 students.
Through the system, universities can earn returns on the investment of endowment funds to cover operational and development costs while not entirely relying on government funding.
“This is the best concept being implemented in foreign countries, like Harvard University, which has an endowment fund of US$49.5 billion (RM234.85 billion). The government can also help to implement donation matching or tax exemption for all waqf contributors,” he said.
The initiative requires an allocation from the government only at the initial stage as, in the long run, it will save government funds.
Meanwhile, Putrajaya MP Datuk Radzi Jidin proposed a task force involving relevant ministries and agencies to implement efforts to boost the tourism sector, saying that efforts should focus on high-value tourism and encourage foreign tourists to spend money while in the country.
The government should also consider special incentives for specific segments such as health and eco-tourism.
The Dewan Rakyat sitting continues on Monday (October 23).
— Bernama
