BARIO: The Bario Rice Industry Development Project not only addresses food security and agricultural sustainability but also boosts the rural economy, particularly for communities in Sarawak’s interior

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Sarawak Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Razaili Gapor highlighted this during a briefing at the Bario Sub-District Office as part of a two-day working visit to the project site from Aug 6 to 7.

Implemented by the Sarawak Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Sarawak (M-FICORD), the project aims to enhance the cultivation, processing and marketing of Bario rice, a premium highland variety.

Razaili said the visit formed part of PAC Sarawak’s ongoing efforts to monitor the implementation of publicly funded projects, strengthening the checks and balances mechanism that underpins high-accountability governance.

He added that the visit also sought to ensure the project is carried out transparently, effectively and delivers tangible benefits to rural communities, in line with the findings of the Auditor General’s Report.

The PAC Sarawak delegation was hosted at a community dinner by Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala in conjunction with the visit.

Also present were assemblymen Datuk Mohd Chee Kadir (Kabong), Datuk Lo Khere Chiang (Batu Kitang), Miro Simuh (Serembu) and See Chee How (Batu Lintang), Sarawak Agriculture Department deputy director (Development) Gilbert Igi, ex-officio members and PAC Sarawak secretary Nur Azhar Bujang.