KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government will focus on food security to cushion the medium- and long-term impacts of the rising cost of living.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that under the 13th Malaysia Plan, RM102.86 million has been allocated for food security projects.
"The main focus is to increase agricultural, livestock, and fisheries production to reduce dependence on imports, which are often vulnerable to global price fluctuations.
"The ultimate goal is to improve the self-sufficiency level and ensure a stable food supply under any economic conditions," he said.
Hajiji said the government, through the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia), has identified Keningau, Tenom, Nabawan, Tongod, and Tambunan as Food Production Valleys.
The initiative aims to optimise state land for large-scale production to stabilise the local market supply.
He was replying to a question from Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Senallang) regarding immediate state actions to protect the people from the rising cost of living following higher global oil prices.
Hajiji also highlighted high-impact projects such as the Keningau Integrated Livestock Centre (KILC), which focuses on beef cattle farming, and Sabah Livestock Dairies Breeders Sdn Bhd in Sook, which focuses on dairy farming.
"These efforts are expected to reduce dependence on imported meat and dairy products while stabilising market prices," he said.
He also encouraged the public to adopt self-sustaining practices through the Kebun Dapur (Kitchen Garden) programme to reduce household expenses.
On logistics, Hajiji said collaboration with the federal government for the Sepanggar Port expansion is expected to increase cargo capacity and reduce logistics surcharges.
"Indirectly, this helps curb price increases sea transportation costs," he said.
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