MIRI – A ceiling price will be imposed on pork in Sarawak to stop the exorbitant hike in its market price while the import of frozen pork into the state will be opened up to boost supply.
State Food Industry, Commodities and Agriculture Development Minister Datuk Stephen Rundi Utom said the state government will liaise with its counterparts in Putrajaya on this matter.
“The state and the federal ministries will set a ceiling on the market price of pork in Sarawak to stop the hike. We will also allow frozen pork to be imported into Sarawak.
“However, only frozen pork from countries free of foot and mouth disease will be allowed into Sarawak.
“We hope to stabilise pork price soon through these measures,” he said in a press statement.
Rundi admitted that the prices of different types of pork have escalated throughout the state, with the highest being in Miri.
The new year is seeing prices of many foodstuffs going on a sharp upward trend in urban localities in Sarawak, especially prepared-meal dishes at eateries containing pork ingredients, The Vibes reported yesterday.
The price of pork went up by RM5 to RM8 per kg in various places in Sarawak, such as Miri.
A check showed that pork in the Miri city market costs RM45 per kg now.
“That is an increase of RM5 from last week,” said a housewife.
For breakfast items, many hawkers charge RM5 per small plate of the famous local “kolok mee” noodles with just a few pieces of dried pork, up from RM3.50 per plate before.
Adding slices of pork, beef, or chicken could go more than RM10 per plate.
Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chien Jen said that pork price is expected to go up by another RM3 per kg in Sarawak. – The Vibes, January 3, 2023
