SLDB Launches “MEKAR by SLDB” Rice Mill to Strengthen Sabah’s Food Security

13 January 2026

KOTA BELUD: The Sabah State Land Development Board (SLDB) has officially launched the Local Rice Mill and rice brand “MEKAR by SLDB” at Kampung Timbang Dayang here, marking a significant step towards strengthening the state’s rice industry value chain and enhancing food security.

The launch reflects a strategic initiative by SLDB to improve paddy production and processing while reducing Sabah’s reliance on external rice supplies.

SLDB General Manager, Datuk Syaheddrul R. Joddari, said that about 540 acres of abandoned paddy fields have so far been successfully rehabilitated. With the commissioning of the new rice mill, SLDB aims to expand the rehabilitation programme to cover up to 1,000 acres in the districts of Tuaran and Kota Belud.

He said the initiative is designed to integrate rice production and processing, improve operational efficiency, increase farmers’ incomes and create employment opportunities in rural areas.

“The mill not only enhances paddy processing efficiency, but also provides new job opportunities, boosts farmers’ earnings and reduces dependence on rice imports,” he said.

According to him, the mill will process harvests from SLDB’s Paddy Project in Tuaran, Papar and Kota Belud, involving a planted area of approximately 540 acres with the participation of 238 farmers. The project is expected to produce around 1,100 metric tonnes of paddy per season.

In addition, the facility will purchase paddy harvests from farmers in the Kota Belud district for processing and marketing as local rice under the MEKAR by SLDB brand, contributing to the stability of Sabah’s rice supply.

The launch ceremony included a tour of the processing facilities and an operational briefing, showcasing a modern processing system with a capacity of up to 15 tonnes of paddy per day.

The establishment of the MEKAR by SLDB rice mill underscores SLDB’s ongoing commitment to driving rural socio-economic development through sustainable, competitive and high-impact agricultural initiatives.

Among those present were Datuk Idrus Bin, Chairman of SABARAS; Haji Fauzie Jamlee, Head of Corporate Services at SLDB; Rosman Samsul, Deputy Director of Rice and Paddy Regulatory, Kota Kinabalu Branch; Sailoh Lukis, BERNAS (SSHP) Sabah Regional Manager; and Suzana Shoir of Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS), Kota Belud.