Solve greens dumping in Kundasang, govt urged
Published on: Monday, April 06, 2020
A farmer getting ready vegetables to be sent to Kota Kinabalu.
Kota Kinabalu: The State Government is urged to urgently solve the problem of dumping of vegetables in Kundasang which has caused more than 300 vegetable farmers there to suffer losses.Head of Kg Lipasu Unit, Kinabalu Area Farmers’ Organisation (PPK), Jailin Nazrin, said the State Government, especially Agriculture and Food Industry Minister (KPIM) Datuk Junz Wong, should do something instead of letting the problem continue.
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He said the problem of dumping of vegetables arose due to the Movement Control Order (MCO), in addition to the directives from the State Government through the Sabah Covid-19 Command Centre.
“The problem is escalating as vegetable dealers from outside Kundasang are not allowed to enter the area and buy vegetables.
“Trucks from outside are not allowed to operate, enter and transport vegetables in Kundasang as directed by the State Government.
“According to the CPP (command) procedure, the food chain should not be disrupted and the State Government, especially the Sabah Covid-19 Command Centre, should comply with it as done in Peninsular Malaysia to solve the problem of vegetable dumping in Sabah,” he added.
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Jailin said the State Government, in particular KPIM, Sabah Covid-19 Command Centre and local authorities should help facilitate the production and delivery of this food chain.
“Vegetables are essential daily needs of the people and their production is continuous and must be delivered to meet the needs of the people,” he said in a statement, Sunday.
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He was commenting on media reports that over 300 vegetable traders in Kundasang suffered losses due to the dumping of vegetables following the implementation of the MCO.
According to the Chairman of the Kundasang Hawkers’ Association, Mariana Taliban, vegetable production was increasing as the MCO entered its second week.
As a result, they had to take the initiative by sending all the available vegetables to Kota Kinabalu and sell at half price so that they would not be thrown away.
“In addition, the sale of these unsold vegetables is also distributed to several villages within the Ranau area.
“This will not only prevent waste but also help individuals or families, in particular those who live in areas far from town or city,” he said.
Jailin said this was a state problem as the directives and decisions by the State Government and local authorities affected the existing food chain.
According to him, if the MCO is extended after April 14, it is certain that more vegetable farmers and traders in Kundasang and other districts would be affected and suffered huge losses.
He pointed out that the National Security Council’s (MKN) directive is to prioritise essential services.
“Junz Wong should be aware that the matter was emphasised during the Agriculture Exco meeting with federal Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee in Kuala Lumpur recently,” he said.
Meanwhile, all agricultural and fishing activities, including factories, are allowed to operate during the MCO as the country needs food.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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