PRESS RELEASE: Warisan, Set Up Cost-of-Living Task Force Now — Sabah Cannot Be Left Exposed to Global Supply Shocks
KOTA KINABALU, 28 March 2026: Parti Warisan Supreme Council Member Chen Ket Chuin has called on the GRS State Government to immediately establish a “Cost of Living & Supply Resilience Task Force”, warning that Sabah risks being severely impacted by escalating global supply disruptions if proactive measures are not taken.
Chen stressed that the urgency of such a task force has intensified following the ongoing armed conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted critical global shipping routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz—a key artery for global energy and trade flows.
“Sabah, as a net-importing state heavily dependent on external supply chains, is especially vulnerable to global shocks. Any disruption along major trade routes will inevitably translate into higher costs for goods and services on the ground,” he said.
He noted that early signs of rising logistics costs and supply uncertainties are already emerging, driven by heightened geopolitical tensions and instability in global markets. “This is not a distant problem. The impact will be felt directly by Sabahans — through higher food prices, increased transportation costs, and broader inflationary pressures,” Chen added.
Sabah Already Under Cost-of-Living Pressure
Chen highlighted that Sabah is already grappling with structural economic challenges, where:
• Prices of goods and services are consistently higher than in Peninsular Malaysia and even neighbouring Sarawak.
• Households face elevated logistics and distribution costs.
• Average wages remain among the lowest in the country, compounding affordability issues.
“Sabahans are already paying more, but earning less. Without intervention, any global supply disruption will hit Sabah harder than most other regions in Malaysia,” he warned.
Call for Immediate Government Action
Chen urged the GRS government, as a responsible administration, to act decisively by setting up a dedicated task force with the following core functions:
• Closely monitor prices of essential goods and consumer products.
• Ensure adequate and stable supply of key goods and services statewide.
• Detect early signs of shortages, disruptions, or profiteering.
• Provide timely interventions and policy responses to cushion the impact on rakyat.
“This is not about politics — this is about preparedness, accountability, and protecting the rakyat from avoidable economic hardship,” he stressed.
Protecting Sabahans from External Shocks
Chen emphasised that a well-coordinated task force would serve as an early warning and response mechanism, enabling the State Government to act swiftly before price shocks spiral out of control.
“In times of global uncertainty, governments must be ahead of the curve — not reacting after the damage is done. Sabah cannot afford complacency when the cost of living is already a daily struggle for many families,” he said.
He added that such a move would send a strong signal that the State Government is committed to safeguarding the welfare of Sabahans amid rising global economic risks.
“The people of Sabah deserve a government that anticipates problems, not one that waits for crises to unfold. The time to act is now,” Chen concluded.
Chen Ket Chuin @ KC
Warisan Supreme Council
28 March 2026
