Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Umno Chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin urged the State Government to take immediate and serious action in alleviating the burden on the people, particularly regarding the soaring prices of essential goods, with a specific focus on fresh chicken.
He highlighted the stark difference in chicken prices between Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.
“While the price of fresh chicken in the peninsula, including rural areas on the East Coast, ranges from RM7 to RM9 per kg the cost in Sabah is significantly higher.
“On average, fresh chicken in Sabah is priced between RM12 and RM15.50 per kg, with some suppliers charging as much as RM16.50 per kg on regular days, not even during festive seasons,” he said in a statement.
Bung said in November 2023, State Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk James Ratib explained in the State Assembly that one of the key reasons for the higher chicken prices in Sabah is the difference in laws and regulations compared to those in the peninsula.
He said businesses in the peninsula have the ability to import chicken from abroad, such as from Poland.
Bung said, however, due to measures to protect Sabah from animal-borne diseases, chicken imports to the State are limited, which contributes to the scarcity of chicken supplies in the State.
James also noted that the cost of chicken feed is higher in Sabah, as the raw materials must be imported from the peninsula via sea transport, further driving up operational costs.
However, Bung questioned the necessity of importing chicken on a large scale in the peninsula, pointing out that there are 10 states in the peninsula that engage in large-scale poultry farming, including hatching their own eggs for chick production.
“I have not heard of any need for them to import chicken on a large scale, except for frozen chicken, if available.
“Regarding the cost of chicken feed, Sabah actually has great potential to produce its own supply on a large scale without having to rely on suppliers from the peninsula.
“Therefore, I suggest that the relevant authorities conduct visits to the states in the peninsula to learn their methods of effectively controlling chicken prices,” he said.
He also said the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN) should monitor and regulate the price of chicken, which he believes is currently out of control in Sabah.
Bung urged the Government to stop making excuses and begin working on concrete solutions to resolve the issue.
“The people, especially those from lower-income groups, are suffering from the rising cost of living, and small business owners, such as food stall operators, are also struggling to adjust their prices due to the increasing cost of raw materials,” he said.
Furthermore, he pointed out that while the Pan Borneo Highway project has received attention, existing roads in the State remain in disrepair, leading to accidents, vehicle damage and continued suffering for the people.
Bung called for immediate action from the Sabah Government to address these ongoing issues and ensure that the people are no longer burdened.
