KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's rice supply quota has been increased to 35,000 metric tonnes for April to stabilise the market following panic buying.
State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar called for this measure, atributing any market shortages to wholesalers failing to release stock they had already bought.
About 3,000 metric tonnes of rice has been paid for but remains stuck in Bernas warehouses because wholesalers have not collected them, he added.
"I urge them to organise the necessary logistics, such as lorries, to move the rice that has been ordered.
"I do not want this to become a form of sabotage by wholesalers to raise prices. There is also no price increase because subsidies remain in place," he said during a visit to the Trusan Sapi padi fields in Sandakan on Friday (April 10).
At the same time, he said the ministry is conducting audits on wholesalers suspected of hoarding or smuggling subsidised rice.
Jamawi said he took these steps because of supply disruptions affecting the public and the failure of several wholesalers to attend inquiry sessions.
He stressed that any licence holders found guilty of breaching terms will face stern action.
"There are wholesalers we suspect are involved, which is why audits are being carried out to obtain evidence.
"If convicted, they can face a minimum fine of RM50,000 and imprisonment. We will enforce this without compromise because it affects the lives of the people of Sabah," he said.
Jamawi added that the government has limited purchases to two bags of rice per person as a supply control measure.
He said the government is committed to ensuring that the state’s rice reserves can last at least six months.
At the same time, he reminded traders not to exploit government subsidies, especially as rice prices in neighbouring countries rise because of the current global oil crisis.
He added that enforcement efforts will continue to be strengthened to guarantee food supply stability throughout Sabah.
