PM pledges chicken, rice subsidies for Sabah

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has pledged subsidies for chicken and rice in Sabah.

Speaking at Penampang yesterday, Anwar said that he was informed by Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor about the price of the two staples being too high.

“So, I decided that we should handle this properly. If there is a need to inject funds, a need to float prices to match prices now, we will pay a subsidy to ensure it.

“We will pay subsidies to lower the prices in Sabah,” he said, as reported by Malay Mail.

Previously, the Anwar-led administration removed price controls for dressed chicken (RM9.40 per kg) from Nov 1 onwards. This resulted in prices falling soon after in Peninsular Malaysia.

According to the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) website, the average retail price for dressed chicken (standard) on Dec 7 was RM9.40 per kg in Kuala Lumpur but RM10.75 in Sabah and RM10.80 in Sarawak.

As for rice, Putrajaya introduced a subsidy of RM950 per metric tonne for imported white rice for Sabah and Sarawak beginning Oct 5 given the rising prices of imported rice.

Anwar has stated that Deputy Prime Minister II Fadillah Yusof has been tasked with heading a special committee to deal with cost-of-living woes in Sabah and Sarawak.

Meanwhile, Anwar also said his administration will introduce wage reforms to help the poor and develop infrastructure.

“This year we have to solve the problems of dilapidated schools, over 8,300 toilets in schools. We have to solve the basic needs first.

“Then next year we will look at increasing civil servant's pay. This hasn't been reviewed in 10 years. For those who have worked for 12 years, the priority is for their salary to be reviewed,” he said.

Pan Borneo Highway

Separately, Anwar told a meet-and-greet session in Labuan yesterday that Putrajaya viewed the delay in the Sabah portion of the Pan Borneo Highway very seriously.

He said transparent tenders will be initiated, with the help of the state government, to expedite the implementation of the project.

“If there are contractors who are capable and competent, including those from Sabah, please participate in the tenders.

“It's not because they support us, are our cronies, or our children. If this can be done, I believe the progress of this project will run more smoothly and benefit the people of Sabah,” he said, according to Bernama.

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