KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan women’s leader Juriah Uda has urged the Sabah government to prioritize the affordability of fragrant rice rather than just controlling locally-produced rice. Juriah pointed out that fragrant rice is commonly consumed by the elderly and children who may experience constipation from eating white rice which lacks fiber. She expressed concern that the rising prices and potential intermittent shortages due to unpredictable weather would affect many families financially. Juriah emphasized the worries of mothers with young children and the elderly, especially in larger households where fragrant rice is the main type of rice consumed. As the prices of meat and fish have increased, these households may resort to mixing types of rice for meals. Juriah called on the state government to prioritize the supply and affordability of fragrant rice.
Fauziah Stephens, acting deputy chairman of Kudat Warisan, raised another concern related to China’s new map that includes Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone. She highlighted that the claims made in the map pose a possible threat to Sabah’s fishing industry. Fauziah questioned whether the government is prepared for encroachment by Chinese fishermen with their massive fishing boats, as seen in the case of Natuna Island in Indonesia. She warned that such encroachment would lead to soaring prices of fish and seafood products in Sabah. Warisan deputy president Datuk Darell Leiking also called for Malaysia to assert itself within Asean to address food security issues in the region and suggested an agricultural trade-off among member countries.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
