KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, the Sabah UMNO Chief, has called on the Sabah State Government, through relevant agencies or ministries, to take serious measures to alleviate the burden on the people, particularly regarding the issue of essential goods prices, with a specific focus on fresh chicken.
He pointed out that the price of whole or processed chicken across Peninsular Malaysia, including rural areas in the East Coast, ranges from RM7.00 to RM9.00 per kilogram.
In contrast, he noted that in Sabah, the price of fresh chicken varies by location and supplier.
On average, prices range from RM12 to RM15.50 per kilogram, with some instances reaching RM16.50 per kilogram, he stated.
“This is the price on regular days, not during festive seasons,” he added in a statement today.
In November 2023, Sabah’s Minister of Community Development and People’s Well-Being, Datuk James Ratib, explained in the Sabah State Assembly that one of the reasons for the higher chicken prices in Sabah compared to Peninsular Malaysia is the differences in regulations and laws enforced in Sabah.
He mentioned that producers in Peninsular Malaysia can import chicken from countries like Poland.
However, to protect Sabah from animal-borne diseases, chicken imports to Sabah are restricted, leading to a reduced supply of chicken in the state.
He also noted that the cost of chicken feed in Sabah is high because raw materials must be imported from Peninsular Malaysia by sea, which increases operational costs.
Bung emphasised that there are ten states in Peninsular Malaysia that engage in large-scale chicken farming, including hatching eggs to produce their own chicks.
“I have not heard of any necessity for them to import chicken on a large scale, except for frozen chicken if available.
“Regarding the cost of chicken feed, Sabah actually has significant potential to produce its own supply on a large scale without relying on external suppliers,” he added.
