Kota kinabalu: Rice wholesalers in Sabah have been urged to promptly collect their stocks to ensure smooth distribution and avoid supply disruptions, said state Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar. He stated that about 3,000 tonnes of rice purchased by several wholesalers three days ago have yet to be collected and remain at Padiberas Nasional Bhd (BERNAS) warehouses.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Jamawi urged wholesalers to arrange transport to collect the rice they have ordered, emphasizing that he does not want this situation to become an act of sabotage to manipulate prices. He addressed reporters after an engagement session with the Sabah Drainage and Irrigation Department and a Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering.

Jamawi assured that rice prices in Sabah would remain stable as subsidies for the staple are maintained. Meanwhile, he mentioned that the ministry is auditing several wholesalers over alleged hoarding, with offenders facing a minimum RM50,000 fine and possible imprisonment upon conviction. He stressed that there would be no compromise on this issue as it affects the livelihoods of Sabahans. Investigations are ongoing, and some wholesalers have failed to attend when summoned.

Jamawi speculated that higher prices and the absence of subsidies in other regions may have led to rice being concealed and smuggled across borders. Although he refrained from making direct accusations, he confirmed that evidence is being gathered.

In a related development, Jamawi highlighted that Sabah spends about RM1 billion annually on imported rice. The ministry aims to address this by developing idle padi fields in the state to reduce reliance on imports from Vietnam and Thailand.