By Yussof J. Imbang
TONGOD; The people of Sabah are reminded of the original purpose of the Kaamatan Festival, which is to promote rice cultivation, in light of global warnings about potential difficulties in obtaining imported rice as the end of the year approaches.
Sedco Group chairman Datuk Masiung Banah stressed that the country faces the risk of a rice supply crisis in the next six months if the public does not make an effort to grow their own rice.
He said this while officiating the Kaamatan Festival for the Tongod District at the Tongod District Council’s Indoor Hall on Saturday.
Masiung did not rule out the possibility that countries that previously exported rice to Malaysia may stop their supplies if the crisis in the Middle East continues.
He noted that the escalating armed conflict in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, and Iran poses a risk to the global food supply chain.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia (KPKM) has reminded us that the country’s physical rice stock can only be sustained for six months until the end of this year.
“The Kaamatan Festival should serve as a means for the people to return to their agricultural roots by planting and producing their own rice, just as their ancestors did, to ensure that their families do not face food shortages.
“India, Myanmar, and Vietnam have already restricted rice supplies to Malaysia since 2025 and increased import taxes by 40 per cent, causing the price of imported rice to soar,” he asserted.
He said the people of Sabah cannot rely indefinitely on imported supplies, especially since Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia are currently facing the El Nino phenomenon, which is causing a decline in rice production.
The Kuamut assemblyman said it is time for the people to seize the opportunities provided by the state government through various initiatives and assistance to cultivate rice on their own land.
