SANDAKAN: Efforts to strengthen food security in Sabah remain a key priority, with local beef production currently focused on meeting domestic demand before any plans for export are considered, according to Hazem Mubarak Musa.
Hazem, who is Chairman of Sawit Kinabalu Sdn Bhd and Assemblyman for Sungai Manila, said beef production in the state has yet to fully meet market demand, resulting in continued reliance on imports to maintain stable supply and pricing.
“Our main focus at the moment is to increase the self-sufficiency level (SSL) of beef production in Sabah so that domestic supply can be strengthened first before considering potential exports in the future,” he said when speaking to reporters during a Ramadan iftar event organised by Sawit Kinabalu at Masjid Raya Seri Aman in the Sungai Manila Batu 12 Settlement area.
Also present were Sawit Kinabalu Chief Executive Officer Victor Ationg, Sandakan Municipal Council president Walter Kenson and Vivian Wong, Member of Parliament for Sandakan.
Hazem said the State government, together with relevant agencies, is intensifying efforts to boost local beef production through livestock industry development, improvement of cattle breeds and continuous support for local farmers.
He added that the Sawit Kinabalu Group is also contributing to the development of Sabah’s beef production sector through livestock farming activities at Balung, Sungai Kawah, Pegagau and Madai farms in Tawau.
In Lahad Datu, livestock farming is conducted at Sandau, Mensuli, Seberang, Begahak 3, Boon Rich and Matamba farms, while in Sandakan the operations are located at Sungai Menanggol, Green, Gomantong and Sapagaya farms.
From 2021 until February 2026, the company recorded total beef sales of approximately 580 tonnes.
For 2026, Sawit Kinabalu estimates the sale of 2,500 heads of live cattle for sacrificial purposes, while beef sales are projected at 1,100 heads, equivalent to around 220 tonnes.
Currently, the company’s live cattle are sold not only within Sabah but also shipped to Sarawak and exported to Brunei, while beef sales remain focused on the domestic market in Sabah.
In related developments, Sawit Kinabalu is planning several initiatives to further strengthen the local beef production industry. These include obtaining food safety certifications such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Veterinary Health Mark (VHM).
The company also plans to establish a Meat Technology Centre (MTC) in Balung, Tawau, with an estimated cost of RM30 million through a government grant application.
If the grant is approved around September this year, construction of the facility is expected to begin soon after, with full operations targeted by December 2027.
With the MTC facility and the HACCP and VHM certifications, Sawit Kinabalu aims to expand its beef market to Peninsular Malaysia in the future.
Hazem said the company hopes these initiatives will receive support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Malaysia (KPKM) and other relevant government agencies to further strengthen the local beef industry and enhance the country’s food security.
Meanwhile, in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration, the price of live cattle has been set at RM6,050 for a two-year-old male weighing about 225kg, while culled female cattle weighing around 275kg are priced at RM5,600 each.
During the iftar event, Sawit Kinabalu also presented contributions to the Sabah Society for the Blind in Taman Cahaya Sandakan, Masjid Raya Seri Aman, Sri Harapan Elderly Home, several welfare organisations and 100 asnaf recipients.
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