KOTA KINABALU: Sabah should be allowed to import its own rice, said state Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
He said the federal government should grant the state autonomy to manage and import rice as it was the fundamental right for Sabah to better address the specific needs and welfare of its own people.
Jeffrey, who is also the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister, said Sabah's needs and circumstances were completely different than that of Peninsular Malaysia.
"We have regional autonomy and the capability to manage our own rice imports and production should be within our jurisdiction.
"Such a decentralised approach would empower Sabah and Sarawak to respond more effectively to local supply and demand, thus ensuring that our people are better served," he said in a statement.
The Keningau Member of Parliament said, for now, at least 50 per cent of the rice imports should be managed by Sabah.
He said this would give the state a chance to prove the effectiveness of having localised control over its food supply, without completely dismantling the existing system.
"It serves as a middle ground that allows for evaluation and adjustments as needed.
Jeffrey also questioned the continued support for the monopolistic system in rice imports as he believed it was not only detrimental to the economy but also counterproductive for the advancement of Sabah and its people.
He said the absence of competition in a monopolistic system, particularly one that affects something as essential as the food supply, fosters an environment prone to stagnation and complacency.
"I understand this monopoly will end in 2031. But this kind of power can lead to unscrupulous behaviors and may not serve the best interests of Sabahans," he said.
He said the argument that competition leads to inefficiency was flawed.
"On the contrary, competition fosters innovation and efficiency. Companies and organisations, when faced with competition, are driven to streamline operations, cut inefficiencies, and innovate.
"In the context of rice importation and production, this could lead to improved agricultural methods, higher yields, and more competitive pricing, benefiting consumers and producers alike," he said.