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KOTA KINABALU – The higher prices of pork in Sabah is burning a hole in the pockets of locals celebrating Chinese New Year, said a former Sabah agriculture and food industries minister.
Datuk Junz Wong who is Tg Aru assemblyman said, eatery operators and consumers from Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau, Keningau, Kudat and Beaufort had recently met him to express their disappointment over the rising cost of pork.
He said the difference of pork prices in Sabah and the peninsula is quite glaring.
For instance, pork belly is sold at RM40 per kg in the peninsula but it is RM58 in Sabah.
The same with lean meat is RM28 in the peninsula while it is RM43 in Sabah.
“Everyone is looking forward to having a lively atmosphere during Chinese New Year. But the main concern is the rising costs of living, especially the prices of pork.”
“Not only pricing, but its scarcity. I was informed that pig farms were more or less sold out before Chinese New Year. Except for one pig farm.
“So, there will be an even worse supply shortage after Chinese New Year and Sabahans have to endure a much higher cost,” he said in a statement here today.
Junz who is also Warisan vice president added, proper communication and planning between the federal and state government must be in place.
“This is a very bad issue that must be taken seriously by the government. Has there been any plans or communication between the state and federal governments?”
“This issue won’t go away by itself. All the previous announcements seem to have failed to bring the prices of pork down and stabilise the supply.”
The supply of pork in the state comes under the Sabah government but price control comes under the federal Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
The state recently announced the importation of pork to stabilise its prices, not to mitigate the rising prices. – The Vibes, January 20, 2023
