Abang Johari (centre) makes his way to the stage upon his arrival at Mitec. – Ukas photo

KUCHING (Oct 26): Sarawak’s food industry will undergo a restructuring exercise in line with its target of becoming a regional food producing hub, said Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The Premier also said the state government will introduce and implement new legislation on waste management to produce animal feed.

“This serves to reduce Sarawak’s dependence on imported animal feed, (which is) one of the main factors driving increased meat prices in Sarawak,” he said in a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) Facebook post today.

He made these remarks during the Town Hall Session with Premier held in conjunction with Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak 2025 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday

Abang Johari recalled that he had previously initiated a project in Lubok Antu to manage palm oil waste.

“In Lubok Antu, the palm kernel shells are processed into biomass, which is then mixed with napier grass to create animal feed.

“With this locally produced animal feed, we can adopt a feedlot system instead of open grazing. This will allow us to produce our own meat,” he said.

The Premier pointed out that the restructuring process of the food industry will also involve the introduction of a veterinary science programme at Universiti Putra Malaysia Sarawak (UPMS).

According to him, such move will help address the shortage of qualified veterinarians in the state.

At present, Abang Johari said Sarawak falls short of certified veterinarians.

“We must strengthen the veterinary field, not only in terms of food production but also in disease control, especially rabies, which has claimed many lives in Sarawak,” he added.