KOTA KINABALU, April 18 — The supply of rice in Sabah remains stable and sufficient, and claims of stock hoarding are baseless, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Chan Foong Hin said.

Addressing recent viral concerns over an alleged shortage of rice since early April, Chan said the situation has returned to normal following a brief period of panic buying.

“The supply of rice in the market is now sufficient, under control, and the distribution chain is operating as usual without any disruption,” he said in a statement.

To assess the situation on the ground, Chan conducted site visits to rice wholesaler Tan Kien Chong (S) Sdn. Bhd. and Bataras Hypermarket in Kolombong, where he inspected stock levels at both warehouse and retail levels around Kota Kinabalu.

He said the visit allowed him to review current inventory levels, understand supply chain management, and ensure that rice supply remains stable and adequate to meet public demand.

Chan also received a briefing from the Sabah Paddy and Rice Regulatory Authority on the current situation, including stock management and distribution efforts.

He expressed appreciation to industry players for their cooperation in maintaining a steady supply.

He urged the public to remain calm and avoid panic buying, stressing that allegations of rice hoarding are unfounded and only create unnecessary confusion.

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, continues to provide a subsidy of RM350 per metric tonne for imported white rice to Sabah.

This ensures that the average retail price does not exceed RM31 per 10kg, dismissing claims of rising prices in the market.

To maintain market stability, the government has implemented several coordinated measures, including:

• Continued subsidies for imported white rice to stabilise retail prices
• Close monitoring of the entire distribution chain
• Directives to wholesalers to expedite the release of stock from Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS) storage facilities to ensure timely market supply

Chan said he will continue to monitor developments to safeguard public welfare and ensure national food security remains a priority.

He also advised the public to rely on official government channels for accurate information and to avoid spreading unverified rumours. Responsible purchasing practices, he added, are crucial to maintaining supply stability.

Also present during the visit were Sabah Paddy and Rice Regulatory Authority Deputy Director Rosman Shamsul and State Director Abd Alim Multazam.