Rice Stock Issue Discussed, State Government Tightens Monitoring

2 April 2026

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, Jamawi Jaafar, chaired an engagement session today to discuss the issue of rice stock shortages at shops and supermarkets across the state.

The meeting, held at Wisma Pertanian here, was convened following reports last week of supply shortages in retail outlets.

Jamawi said his ministry is still receiving feedback from elected representatives in several districts regarding the situation on the ground.

“There are colleagues among the elected representatives who are still submitting evidence of rice shortages through photographs and videos taken at the shops they visit,” he said.

He added that the purpose of the meeting was to obtain an accurate picture of the current situation and to identify measures that could be taken to help resolve the issue.

“This is precisely why the meeting was convened — to understand the real situation and determine what assistance can be provided to address the problem,” he said.

Jamawi also revealed that the Chief Minister had instructed him to inspect and ensure that rice supplies, particularly the stockpile reserves, are sufficient for a six-month period.

He said the State Cabinet has also entrusted him with ensuring food security, including adequate supply and regulatory oversight of rice through the ministry’s agency, the Sabah Paddy and Rice Board (LPBS).

However, he noted that LPBS does not have enforcement powers.

“LPBS does not have the authority to carry out enforcement, such as monitoring for hoarding or smuggling,” he said.

At the same time, he said BERNAS and the regulatory division continue to play a role in monitoring stock levels and related requirements, while the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) is responsible for enforcing price controls and preventing profiteering.

He stressed that these measures are crucial to prevent rice smuggling and supply shortages in the market.

“This is also to prevent smuggling and the disappearance of supply,” he added.

As a follow-up measure, another meeting involving industry players and paddy suppliers will be held on April 7.

Also present were the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Jumain Abdul Ghani; Deputy Permanent Secretary I, Awang Dzulkernain Awang Hassan; Sabah KPDN director, Shahril Nizam Shahirin; Head of Operations of BERNAS Sabah, Hervian Kirman; Deputy Director of the State Paddy and Rice Regulatory Office, Rosman Shamsul; LPBS director, Dr Ramle Kasin; as well as ministry officials.