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SARAWAK will eventually be hit by foreign tariffs hikes due to its over reliance on rice imports, if this continues for the long term, said Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
"We import 45,000 tonnes of rice, which represents 80 percent of the rice needed for us in Sarawak yearly. We only produce 20 percent and import the rest.
"In view of the global tariff situation now, we too will be hit by tariffs hike if we continue importing rice in such quantity for long term.
"We need to increase local productions and make use of our vast land to grow more rice," he said.
The premier said the move by the US government to hike tariffs on Malaysian exports will not hit Sarawak too hard.
Johari recently said Sarawak exports most of its products to Europe and Far East countries and minimal amount to the US.
"Our palm oil from Sarawak goes mainly to China and India, while oil and gas products mainly are exported to Japan and Korea.
"Our semiconductor chips are mainly for European markets. And our exports to US are not much so we face a minimal impact from the new tariffs," he said.
Whatever impact on Malaysia, he said he is confident Sarawak can mitigate the effects. – April 12, 2025