Kota Kinabalu: Kinabatangan MP and Sabah Umno Chief Datuk Seri Panglima Bung Moktar Radin thanked the swift response from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) and hoped the government would stay committed to addressing the root causes of price disparities.
“Chicken prices are not a political issue but a rakyat issue. It is a basic necessity that must be addressed collectively and holistically,” he said in a statement.
Bung’s statement followed KPDN Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali’s response that the Ministry is actively seeking solutions to tackle the higher prices of fresh chicken in Sabah and Sarawak compared to Peninsular Malaysia, and that the ministry is collaborating with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) on a Price Stabilisation Study, with findings expected to be presented this month.
Armizan was responding to Bung who criticised the huge price difference in fresh chicken prices in Peninsular Malaysia (RM7 to RM9 per kilogramme) and Sabah (RM12 to RM16.50).
Bung said he also welcomed studies by UMS and Unimas, saying he is eager to see the results.
“I believe they (findings) will provide a clearer picture of the reasons behind price differences for goods between Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, and help in finding long-term solutions,” he said.
Addressing reports of fresh chicken prices reaching RM16.50 per kg in Sabah, Bung said the information came from public feedback.
“This information was provided by the public, and I have asked them to report immediately if such prices are still being sold. If it is true, KPDN enforcement must take immediate action,” he added.
Bung noted that publicity around the issue might already be discouraging sellers from charging such high prices. “I believe that after this issue went viral, most sellers would no longer dare to openly offer such prices,” he said.
He also said that Umno Sabah, through its Public Relations and Community Consumer Council led by Datuk Awang Aslee, would submit a formal memorandum and complaint to KPDN.
“This issue is not new, but that is no excuse for any party, especially the current government, to provide simplistic answers that dismiss the efforts of previous administrations. What we need is a commitment to solving this problem effectively,” he said.
Bung urged KPDN and other agencies to work together to reduce the price gap for essential goods between Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia, stressing the importance of prioritising the issue for the people’s well-being.
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