PRESS STATEMENT: 19 MARCH 2026 -
I support the view of Jeffrey
Kitingan that rice supply in Sabah is still heavily dependent on
stocks and the distribution system managed by Padiberas Nasional
Berhad (Bernas), rather than being directly controlled by the Sabah
State Government. This situation places Sabah in a vulnerable
position to any external supply disruption.
When major exporting countries such
as India and Vietnam decided to limit their white rice exportation in
mid 2023 due to El Niño phenomenon, Warisan was among the earliest
in the country to raise the concern on potential price surge of
imported white rice.
Our warnings unfortunately
were not heeded by
either the State Government or the Federal Government, despite clear
signs of price pressure, including in neighboring countries such as
the Philippines.
By mid-2024, our concern became
reality when rice supply crisis struck the country. During that
period, various allegations circulated on social media, including
claims that millers were mixing local rice with imported rice and
selling it as imported rice — a situation that undermined public
confidence in the integrity of the national food supply chain.
In the same year and through our
Kota Belud Member of Parliament Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis, Warisan
raised the question in Parliament whether Sabah can be allowed to
import white rice independently. The
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mohamad Sabu, however
replied the policy of
retaining Bernas as the sole importer and distributor was the best
approach for the country.
In this context, Jeffrey’s view
that there is no absolute guarantee that Bernas can consistently
ensure sufficient imported rice supply to Sabah — whether through
quotas or other mechanisms — is well-founded. What exists so far is
a policy assurance, not a certainty of supply.
However, the core issue is not
Bernas alone. The real question lies in the level of commitment and
priority by the State Government under the leadership of Hajiji Mohd
Noor, as well as the sincerity and empathy of the Federal Government
in addressing the pressures faced by Sabah regarding rice supply,
both local and imported.
The reality is that as long as
Sabah has
not achieved the
Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL)
target of 60% (2030)
in local rice production, then
we will continue
being dependent on imported rice controlled by Bernas.
However, to achieve the reasonable
SSL, huge
costs are needed to develop
irrigation infrastructure — including canals and water management
systems — which requires tens to hundreds of millions of ringgit,
and typically dependent on approvals and allocations from the Federal
Government under Malaysia Plans.
Even though global rice prices may
surge due to the El Niño/La Niña phenomenon or geopolitical
conflicts, Bernas will continue supplying imported rice to Sabah. The
additional costs resulting from these global price increases will be
borne by the Federal Government in the form of subsidies.
I hope that no party
will use these subsidy payments to demand a sense of “indebtedness”
from the people of Sabah.
Sabah will
need no sympathy or prolonged dependency if the Federal Government
fulfills the 40% net revenue entitlement as stipulated under the
Malaysia Agreement 1963. These funds can
be utilized to comprehensively develop irrigation infrastructure,
enabling Sabah to achieve
its SSL and become
self-reliant in rice supply.
The role of the Chief Minister,
Hajiji Mohd Noor, is
equally crucial in
elevating the
urgent need
for our self reliance to
the attention of the Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim. As demonstrated
by the Menteri Besar of Kedah, Mohd Sanusi Nor, who has consistently
championed efforts to enhance paddy productivity — resulting in the
state receiving approximately RM1 billion in incentives through the
Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) — a similar approach
that must
be pursued for Sabah.
Efforts to revive the Sabah Paddy
Board may be a step forward, but
they are insufficient to resolve the SSL issue. In reality, the
development of Sabah’s paddy industry requires large-scale
financial commitment and serious long-term planning.
As a Sabahan from Kota Belud, the
Minister of Sabah and Sarawak Affairs, Mustapha Sakmud, must also
play a more proactive role. In line with his call for the public to
be prepared for global uncertainties, he should also
bring forward to the
Federal Cabinet a proposal to grant Sabah autonomy to import rice
independently should supply crises recur.
Six years under the GRS
administration have passed, yet there is still no clear indication
that Sabah is on track to achieve rice
SSL of 60% and is still languishing at 23%. What
exists are repeated announcements, assurances, and plans year after
year. The question remains — how much longer is needed? Ten years?
This crisis is not merely about
food supply. It is about sovereignty, justice, and the future of
Sabah.
Christopher
Masudal
Strategic
Communications Director
Parti Warisan
