KUCHING, Nov 1: Food and beverage operators as well as related businesses have been advised not to increase the price of their products unreasonably following the discontinuation of chicken subsidies and price controls effective today.
Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Sarawak director Matthew Barin also urged all consumers not to resort to panic buying, which could disrupt the supply of chicken in the market.
“KPDN will mobilise our enforcement teams across Sarawak to rigorously monitor all businesses in the State.
“KPDN will also ensure there will be sufficient chicken supply throughout Sarawak,” he said when launching the Special Rahmah Chicken Sales Programme in collaboration with Central Cold Storage Kuching (CCK) at its Demak Laut outlet today.
Matthew added that KPDN Sarawak’s 190 enforcement officers will be mobilised to all areas to monitor chicken prices and ensure there is no instances of profiteering along the supply chain within Sarawak, starting today.
Sarawak has launched the Special Rahmah Chicken Sales Programme which offers chicken at RM7.90 per kilogramme, compared to the new floated price of RM11.60 without subsidies.
This programme will be held every Friday at strategic partner outlets of KPDN Sarawak across the State.
Two days ago, the Federal government announced that the subsidies and price control for chicken will be completely discontinued effective today (Nov 1).
However, chicken eggs graded A, B and C will continue using existing subsidy mechanisms.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the decision to end bulk subsidies for chicken is to reduce the leakage of subsidies which are also enjoyed by foreigners and high income groups.
Mohamad Sabu added that the government has borne RM3.8 billion in subsidies for eggs and chicken since February 2022.
To ensure reasonable poultry prices, he emphasised that intervention measures are in place, including expanding the Rahmah Sales and Madani Agro Sales programmes across the country to supply chicken at an affordable rate. — DayakDaily
