KUCHING, Jan 2: The Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Ministry proposed to the federal Domestic Trade and Living Costs Ministry (KPDN) to set a ceiling price for pork to curb shortage and stabilise the price to prevent further price hikes given the upcoming Chinese New Year.
In a press statement today, Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi said a continuous engagement would be done with KPDN as well as related associations and other industry stakeholders to address the issue of pork supply, especially during the Chinese New Year period and to facilitate the formulation of unified pork prices for the period.
He said lean pork with skin on is currently sold at RM31.5 to RM32 per kg, while pork belly is priced at RM34-RM35 per kg at Borneo Pork retail outlets; while in Sibu and Miri wet markets, lean pork with skin on is sold between RM33 to RM40 per kg.
As another short-term measure, Dr Rundi said the Sarawak government is allowing for the importation of frozen pork from exporting countries that are free from Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
“In 2022, Sarawak imported more than 2,380 metric tonnes of frozen pork valued at RM26.48 million.
“My Ministry will closely monitor pork price movement throughout Sarawak,” said Dr Rundi.
He pointed out that for a medium- to long-term measure, the Sarawak government is planning to establish more Pig Farming Areas (PFAs) to expand this commodity’s production to meet the domestic and foreign demand.
The government will also facilitate the development of a Modern Pig Farm with zero discharge, a closed-house system, and biogas and biosecurity infrastructure to ensure Sarawak has a surplus pork supply and continue to export.
Meanwhile, he said the Sarawak government had paid out compassionate assistance amounting to RM5.6 million to more than 390 pig farmers affected by ASF in 2022.
Another RM2.0 million will be paid this year.
“Finally, with the full cooperation of all stakeholders, I am confident that pork prices will be stabilised soon to give consumers peace of mind for Chinese New Year.”
Dr Rundi said this in response to Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chief Chong Chieng Jen who requested the Sarawak government to step in to stabilise hiking pork prices.
He, however, pointed out to Chong that KPDN controls the prices of essential items and suggested that Chong share knowledge of price control with KPDN.
“The Sarawak government is ready to step in to help moderate the price of pork as this commodity was said to have increased sharply recently.
“Though the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development does not have the power to regulate the price of foods and goods, it will work closely with relevant authorities to help address the pork price hike issue particularly.
“YB Chong, being the former Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, should know better that the price control over essential food items is under the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Living Costs jurisdiction.
“Perhaps, YB Chong could shed more light on what his former Ministry has done to curb the rising prices of goods and food nationwide,” said Dr Rundi. — DayakDaily
