KOTA KINABALU – Imposing controls and penalising traders alone will not resolve the price hikes problem that is burdening consumers, said Sabah opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal today.
The Warisan president and former chief minister said a comprehensive approach is needed to stabilise the prices.
“This is a very serious matter that the government must address,” he said. “Today, many Sabahans have become unemployed and their household incomes have dwindled due to the pandemic.
“Business is also down and traders are facing problems from all sides.
“Meanwhile, we have a government forming a huge cabinet and paying (the members) high salaries,” said Shafie when met at the Kota Kinabalu general market.
Shafie, who is Senallang assemblyman, said this during a visit to the market ahead of the Sabah budget debate during the state assembly tomorrow.
Shafie stressed that supply chains are now being troubled by issues like lack of workers, logistical hindrances and rising fuel costs.
“But aside from enforcement, the government cannot simply take action by pushing the prices down,” he said.
“There’s also a need to look into the supply chain and manage issues like middlemen so prices are not burdensome to retailers and consumers,” said Shafie, adding that he will raise all of this during the assembly sitting Monday.
Price hikes have been recorded for many basic foodstuff such as vegetables, fruits and poultry.
There have also been increases recorded in recent weeks in the prices of construction materials such as steel bars and cement.
Local farmers and property developers have called on the state government to deal with the issues.
Sabahans are already paying more for goods compared with Peninsular Malaysians, with most imported goods priced at 30% higher in the state.
Shafie also pointed out that Sabah, being a major cultivator of oil palm, should have better-priced cooking oil.
He stressed that the state produces its own cooking oil with refineries having been opened in Tawau and Keningau during his time as chief minister.
The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-led government will be tabling the Sabah budget around 3pm tomorrow.
On another matter, Shafie was asked by reporters if Warisan plans to make its presence felt in the upcoming Sarawak election.
He said that it has always been a practice for Sabah not to interfere in the political affairs of its neighbour.
“We will not interfere. We will leave it to our neighbours to go through their own electoral process without interference from outsiders,” he said. – The Vibes, December 2, 2021
