South Sulawesi can be Malaysia's new rice bowl, says PM

New Straits Times 19 Nov 09;

MALAYSIA has identified South Sulawesi as the country's new rice bowl area where it hopes to tap this Indonesian province's resources and availability of land.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the government was looking at ways to work with Indonesia on this to boost Malaysia's food security and as a response to the offer made by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during his visit recently.

He said South Sulawesi Governor Syahrul Yasin Limpo would visit Malaysia soon to discuss a possible collaboration.

Najib said the government was considering either of two ways to carry out the plan.

One would be through contract farming where Malaysia would use the output by padi farmers there.

The other, he said, would be for the country to develop a new area in South Sulawesi as a major padi-planting area.

Najib said South Sulawesi, which has 670,000 head of cattle, would be the likely place for Malaysia to advance its cattle-farming sector.

"It is our intention to advance our cooperation in the agriculture field as this is related to food security.

"South Sulawesi has a huge potential for this agriculture development plan," he said before departing for Kuala Lumpur at the end of his day-visit here to celebrate the 689th anniversary of the Gowa (ancient Bugis government) administration.

He was accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.

During the visit, Najib witnessed the signing of three memoranda of understanding between three agencies under the ministry with Hasanuddin University.

The MoUs, for advancements in research and technology, were signed by Mimos, Sirim and Technology Park Malaysia.

During his visit in May, Najib had stressed the importance of Ma-laysia and Indonesia remaining "best friends" regardless the circumstances as their geo-political position made them key to the strength of Asean and east Asia.

Najib and his entourage were the guests of honour at the anniversary celebrations.

He is a celebrated figure in South Sulawesi because of his Ma-kassar-Bugis lineage which can be traced back to the 11th descendent of the local historical figure and hero, the late Sultan Hasanuddin of Gowa.


Addressing a crowd of 5,000 people, Najib described his third visit to Gowa as the return of the "Gowa son" to his ancestors' land.

During his visit in 2005, he was bestowed the title of Mappadulung Daeng Mattimung Karaeng Sanrobone.

Najib said: "This is my history and I am proud of it.

"History has separated us with vast oceans and land, but it cannot separate us in our blood ties, common culture, religion and spirit.

"These are commonalities that serve to make our relationship stronger."