KOTA KINABALU: The state Cabinet has agreed to revive the Sabah Padi and Rice Board as part of the initiatives to boost food production and ensure food security in the state.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (pic) said the revival of the board was crucial since the state was importing 70% of its rice needs.

“Sabah needs to boost its food self-sufficiency, and we will be able to do it with the revival of the Sabah Padi and Rice Board,” he said.

"The state Cabinet will submit the recommendation to the head of state for the approval of the establishment of the Sabah Padi and Rice Board as stipulated in Section 3 of the 1981 Agriculture Produce Board Enactment," he said at the Chief Minister's Department post-Cabinet meeting at Menara Kinabalu on Wednesday (April 17).

The state Cabinet also agreed to give special permission to investors operating in industrial parks in the state to set up power generation facilities for their own use.

"This move is important to attract investors and sustain those already in operation but affected by electricity issues," he said.

In measures to ease high power demand, Hajiji also decided to allow shophouses, buildings and residential premises to install solar power systems without seeking approval from Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB).

On the Sabah-Malaysia My Second Home programme (SBH-MM2H), the Cabinet has also approved the age limit of applicants to be above 30 years old.

They will allow programme participants to sell their property after five years, provided they purchase a new home valued at at least RM600,000.

Hajiji said under the new policy, the appointment of the SBH-MM2H agents must be local Sabah companies.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/04/17/sabah-to-revive-padi-board-to-increase-food-security-says-hajiji