14/04/2026

TUESDAY | APR 14, 2026

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Kedah Sultan calls for prudent, efficient resource management

ALOR SETAR: The Sultan of Kedah Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah has called for the state’s resource management to be carried out prudently, efficiently and strategically to ensure every expenditure delivers optimal impact in facing the current global energy crisis. His Royal Highness said cost-saving practices must be prioritised at all levels of departments and agencies, with emphasis on needs over wants in every decision made. “I closely follow current global Sarawak import expenses surge KUCHING: Due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Sarawak, which spends billions annually to import food-related products, is seeing expenses soar even higher, especially for costs of sustaining the livestock industry. State Food Industries, Agriculture Modernisation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Stephen Rundi Utom said the costs of importing livestock feed from South America to Sarawak had surged several times since the war broke out. “The food import bill (showed) a huge increase of about RM3 billion from the year before. We import our livestock raw materials such as feedstocks (for cattle and pigs) mostly from Brazil and Argentina. “Due to the current conflict, the costs of importing the raw materials into Sarawak have increased several times. “The costs of logistic arrangements have surged due to (an increase) in cost of transport fuel. We are worried about the inflationary impact on the ground level,” he said at a ministry gathering on Sunday. Stephen said Sarawak cannot produce enough rice, vegetables and meat products within the state and has to buy large amounts from foreign suppliers every month. “The increase is soaring each year but our ministry is adopting numerous strategies to produce more local food to ensure food security. “The use of more efficient technology to increase production is a must. We cannot plant based on sustenance only.” Last year, it was reported that Sarawak imported food products from foreign countries at a cost of over RM7.62 billion. He also called on the younger generation to venture into modern agriculture. “The younger generation must not look at agriculture as jobs that are dirty, tough and painful. “The agriculture sector (carries potential to be lucrative) if modernised, and the use of advanced technology plays key roles in planting, growing and harvesting, (as is) being done in developed countries.” Stephen also said Sarawak wants to be a food exporter by 2030. “Our aim is to drastically cut down the import bill by raising local productions. This would enhance our food security, turn food items into a key gross domestic product contributor and make Sarawak a food exporter by 2030.” Ű BY JOSEPH PETER newsdesk@thesundaily.com

interests or turned into platforms for certain political agendas. The Ruler called on the relevant authorities to act firmly and proactively in enforcing the law. “The matter is directly related to unity, which forms the foundation of stability for the state and the country. As a state with a multi-religious and multi-ethnic population, harmony is not something that can be taken lightly, but must be nurtured through mutual respect and an understanding of each other’s sensitivities.”– Bernama government is cautious about relying on preliminary figures without verified data. “(The Statistics Department) uses a scientific and systematic approach in its calculations across sectors, including construction materials, food and transport. We will rely on their data as the official benchmark.” Ahmad said the ministry has engaged with several contractor associations, including the Malaysian Bumiputera Contractors Association and the Malaysian Malay Contractors Association to gather industry feedback. Among the key requests raised by contractors are the implementation of variation of price, extension of time and price controls on essential construction materials such as cement, sand, stone and steel. ‘WFH not excuse to lower productivity’ PUTRAJAYA: The implementation of the work from home (WFH) directive, which will take effect tomorrow, must not be used as an excuse to lower productivity. Instead, civil servants must remain responsible in ensuring that their work targets and key performance indicators (KPI) are achieved. Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Awang Alik Jeman said WFH also requires civil servants, particularly ministry staff, to ensure that service delivery to the public is not disrupted despite the flexible arrangement. “The ministry will implement WFH beginning April 15 as recommended by the government. “However, I seek the cooperation of department heads; if the services under their purview are essential, they should be reviewed and may need to be exempted from WFH. “I also remind staff not to upload photos or posts on social media that could be perceived as skipping work. Do not do anything that could be detrimental to yourselves. ” He was speaking at the Home Ministry monthly assembly yesterday, which was also attended by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Following the global energy crisis and as part of cost-saving measures, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on April 1 said the Cabinet had agreed to implement a WFH policy involving ministries, agencies, statutory bodies and government-linked companies beginning April 15. – Bernama

levels of departments and agencies to enhance efficiency, expedite service delivery and drive the state’s productivity to a higher level in the future. Sultan Sallehuddin also said relations between the state and the federal governments should not be viewed in isolation, but must instead be based on a spirit of fair and complementary cooperation. His Royal Highness also emphasised that religious institutions must never be misused for personal material stockpiles. “However, given the current situation, we are concerned that the number of delayed projects will rise,” he said during an official working visit to the Kulai Public Works Department yesterday. Ahmad emphasised that despite the challenges, contractors are not permitted to halt work, adding that while some have applied to scale down operations as a cost-control measure, such requests have yet to receive formal approval from the ministry. He said the ministry is also working to obtain official data from the Statistics Department to determine the extent of price increases in construction materials. He also said while industry estimates suggest price hikes of between 30% and 40%, the

Kedah government to always act swiftly and proactively in assessing and improving existing policies and regulations that burden the public. “Excessive bureaucracy, outdated procedures and laws that are no longer relevant will only hinder progress and weaken public confidence in the government’s delivery system. “In this regard, I call for a comprehensive review and improvement of public service delivery to be implemented at all

developments, the conflicts and wars affecting West Asia and Eastern Europe, which will certainly impact the economic stability of the country and the state.” Sultan Sallehuddin was delivering his royal address at the opening of the first meeting of the fourth session of the 15th Kedah State Legislative Assembly at Wisma Darul Aman yesterday. The Ruler called on the public to practise thrift and spend prudently. His Royal Highness also urged the particularly

Rising costs to delay road projects

o Construction, maintenance tasks hardest hit due to reliance on diesel: Deputy minister

KULAI:

third ahead of schedule, one-third on track and one-third behind schedule. He explained that road construction and maintenance projects are among the hardest hit due to their heavy reliance on diesel powered machinery such as lorries and road rollers. “Virtually all vehicles used in road construction run on diesel, which is priced at market rates. This remains a major concern for contractors.” He also said both road maintenance and new construction projects are directly affected, while building construction projects are somewhat cushioned by existing

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construction and operational expenses, particularly diesel, is expected to cause further delays in road construction and maintenance projects across the country. Works Deputy Minister Ahmad Maslan said the ministry anticipates an increase in the number of delayed projects, driven largely by cost pressures linked to ongoing conflicts in West Asia, Bernama reported. He added that of the 855 ongoing projects under the Public Works Department, involving 28 ministries, the previous distribution saw one materials

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