KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 19): The government is enlisting the services of the private sector for the development and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure and roads for paddy cultivation areas in the regions managed by the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada).

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the project, which has been allocated RM3 billion under Budget 2024, is currently undergoing a tendering process, jointly managed by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Finance, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry and Mada.

“The implementation of this project is currently in the procurement evaluation stage through a request for proposal (RFP),” Mohamad told the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Oct 19).  

"This project is expected to be implemented from 2024 until 2030, subject to its implementation period being finalised between the government and the successful bidder,” he added.

Mohamad said the job involves the development and maintenance of 100 blocks of tertiary irrigation systems, rehabilitation of the Pedu Dam, and Jeniang Water Transfer Scheme Phase 2.

“The development and maintenance of the infrastructure will first be fully funded by the private sector (successful bidder), which will then be paid by the government after the project’s completion,” he added.

He noted that the project covers the 231,000 hectares of cultivated area which Mada manages.

“This project aims to increase rice production and, in turn, Malaysia’s rice self-sufficiency ratio (SSR),” he said.

Malaysia has set a national rice SSR target of 80% by 2030. In 2021, the figure stood at 65%.

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