Better deal sought for Sabah's padi farmers

The youth wing of the Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp) has lauded Sabah Commercial Rice Millers Association chief Jaujip Pangalin for voicing out concerns over the problems faced by the association and its members arising from the alleged unfair treatment given to local padi farmers and millers.

Sabah is given a lower subsidy compared to the other states in Peninsular Malaysia, the association said in a recent statement, while providing comprehensive reasons and detailed figures to back their claims.

In a statement to Malaysiakini today, Sapp Youth chief Edward Dagul asked why millers in Sabah were receiving smaller subsidies compared to their counterparts in the peninsula, who were reportedly receiving RM800 per metric tonne.

He added that it was alarming to note that Bernas was selling imported rice at a lower price than local rice, saying it will result in padi farmers closing shop and the inevitable closure of rice mills.

"Have we not learned from the recent world food crisis debacle? What is worrying is when the effects of the global economic downturn reach the shores of Sabah, our staple diet, rice, will be imported like other commodities," said Dagul.

"For how long can we rely on rice exporting countries to supply to us and at what price? The price will then sky rocket to the whims and fancies of the exporting countries."

Revive defunct rice board

Dagul also commented on the chief minister's announcement in May that a further 26,500 hectares of land was needed for padi cultivation in order to achieve self sufficiency.

"Has the land been identified? What exactly has been done by the relevant ministry to safeguard Sabah from another episode of rice shortage?" he asked.

The Sapp Youth leader also urged the government to re-establish the defunct Sabah Padi and Rice Board to specifically look into managing padi fields and rice production in the state.

"The board should also seek a licence from the federal government to import and export rice as this will enable it to import rice if the current padi cultivation programme is not ready to cater for the state's needs," Dagul said, adding that any excess can be sold to other countries.