SANDAKAN: The continued rise in pork prices in Sabah remains a concern as Elopura State Assemblyman, Calvin Chong criticised remarks by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Chan Foong Hin regarding the difference in live pig prices between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.
According to Calvin, the statement not only failed to address the main concerns affecting consumers in Sabah, but also did not offer any solution to the root causes of the price increases that have long burdened the public.
“The public has long borne the impact of the rising cost of living. The government cannot simply come forward with explanations after prices have continued to increase for years without any clear solution,” he said in a statement, yesterday.
Calvin stressed that the price increase cannot be viewed in isolation as it is closely linked to problems within the food supply chain, including animal feed costs, production expenses and industry management, all of which ultimately influence market prices.
According to him, the failure to address these fundamental factors has resulted in consumers continuing to face increasingly higher prices without effective control measures.
“When production costs rise and there are no comprehensive measures to address them, consumers ultimately become the most affected party,” he said.
He also questioned why live pig prices in Peninsular Malaysia have shown a downward trend while prices in Sabah continue to rise.
He said the situation raises questions as to whether there are weaknesses in monitoring systems, supply coordination and market regulation at both the state and federal levels.
“If Peninsular Malaysia is able to enjoy lower prices, why can’t Sabah? Where exactly is the weakness? Is it due to poor coordination, weak enforcement, or insufficient attention to consumer welfare?” he asked.
He also urged the government to ensure that livestock operators and suppliers comply with clear and transparent pricing guidelines to prevent unreasonable price increases.
At the same time, the authorities should strengthen monitoring efforts to ensure there is no price manipulation that could harm consumers’ interests.
Calvin believes that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has yet to present a comprehensive plan capable of stabilising the market and reducing the cost pressures faced by consumers.
In this regard, he urged the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security together with the Sabah State Government to conduct a thorough investigation to identify the real causes of the increase in pork prices and implement concrete measures to stabilise prices.
