Rice supply across Sabah remains stable despite recent shortages reported in several supermarkets in the Sepanggar area.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) and Sepanggar MP Mustapha Sakmud said authorities are aware of the concerns but confirmed that overall stock levels remain sufficient statewide.
He said updates from Padiberas Nasional Berhad and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, along with site visits to storage facilities, showed that rice reserves are adequate for Kota Kinabalu and other parts of Sabah.
According to him, the temporary shortages in certain supermarkets were caused by panic buying, which led to faster-than-usual depletion of stock. However, supplies remain available at traditional markets and smaller retailers.
He urged the public to avoid unnecessary bulk purchasing and to shop based on actual needs, stressing that responsible consumer behaviour is key to maintaining supply stability.
He also reaffirmed the Madani Government’s commitment to ensuring national food security through coordinated monitoring involving multiple agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living.
Authorities will continue to strengthen monitoring efforts to safeguard supply chains and protect public welfare amid global uncertainties and ongoing economic pressures.
