Kota Kinabalu: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) is focusing on resolving the issue of higher fresh chicken prices in Sabah and Sarawak compared to Peninsular Malaysia, says Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali. He emphasized the ministry’s collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) on the Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan Price Stabilisation Study, which includes investigating fresh chicken prices. The findings from this study are anticipated to be presented within the month.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Minister Armizan urged all parties, especially political leaders, to avoid making baseless claims. Instead, he encouraged them to report any information regarding chicken prices to the ministry to facilitate thorough investigations. He assured that if there is information about prices in a particular area, the ministry can initiate an investigation within an hour, and if profiteering elements are found, actions will be taken. He noted that the price difference between Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia is not a new issue but one that has persisted for a long time.
The minister underscored that the focus should be on finding effective solutions. As the head of KPDN, he is committed to seeking long-term solutions based on data-driven and in-depth studies. He made these remarks after officiating the groundbreaking ceremony for Kinarut Palm City in Kinarut.
Previously, Lamag Assemblyman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who is also Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, urged the Sabah government to address the high prices of food items, particularly fresh chicken. Bung Moktar claimed that fresh chicken in Sabah costs between RM12 and RM16.50 per kg, compared to RM7 to RM9 per kg in Peninsular Malaysia.
Minister Armizan acknowledged that resolving the issue requires collaboration between KPDN and other ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, to ensure a stable supply of essential food items. He mentioned that the government had previously allocated RM300 million in subsidies to stabilize the price of imported white rice in Sabah and Sarawak, making it cheaper compared to Peninsular Malaysia. Additionally, the government has maintained diesel subsidies in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan, allowing the public to purchase diesel at lower prices than in the Peninsular.
He stated that the government has taken action and it is incorrect to suggest otherwise. He urged that if specific price issues are identified, to inform the authorities, who will deploy enforcement officers to investigate.