What did you do about food security, Leiking asks GRS

Bernas recently announced that the price of imported white rice had been raised to RM3,200 per metric tonne from RM2,350. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The Sabah state government has been asked to explain why it took three years to begin thinking about taking control of rice imports into the state.

Warisan deputy president Darell Leiking questioned what the state government had done about food security in the three years since the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition took power.

He said the state had long faced issues with food security, particularly an over-reliance on imported rice.

On Wednesday, Sabah deputy chief minister Jeffrey Kitingan said a more localised approach was needed on rice imports after national rice importer Bernas announced price increases on imported white rice.

“To announce it is excellent, but explain to us what you have done on food security since September 2020 when (GRS) took over?” said Leiking, who is assemblyman for Moyog.

The state government had always had the backing of the federal government from prime ministers Muhyiddin Yassin and Ismail Sabri Yaakob to Anwar Ibrahim, Leiking told FMT.

According to the agriculture and food security ministry, Sabah imported a total of 290,000 tonnes of rice, including reserves, in 2021, while its local rice production amounted to just 22,000 tonnes.

Universiti Teknologi Mara senior lecturer Firdausi Suffian, who supported Kitingan’s suggestion, said competition in the rice market would lead to better prices.

However, it was unclear how the state would go about managing its own rice supplies, as Bernas holds a monopoly over rice imports

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“For as long as you have one single entity (controlling rice imports) it will distort the market. We have to open things up so that the rice market would be more competitive,” Firdausi said. - FMT