TAWAU: Sabah requires at least 150,000 metric tonnes of rice stock as a food security buffer, amid calls for greater autonomy in managing import quotas.
Community activist Mohd Zaki Harry Susanto said current stock levels appear insufficient based on the State’s actual needs.
He said rice demand should be calculated based on population to ensure more accurate and realistic planning.
With Sabah’s population estimated at 3.76 million, annual consumption is about 80 kilogrammes per capita, translating to around 300,000 metric tonnes yearly, he said.
“This means Sabah requires about 25,000 metric tonnes of rice monthly.
“To ensure food security, at least six months’ buffer stock, or about 150,000 metric tonnes, should be maintained,” he said in a statement.
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He said the calculation covers only basic white rice, including local produce and imported 5 per cent broken rice, excluding premium varieties such as basmati or glutinous rice.
Zaki said rice available in the market, including supermarkets, restaurants and retail outlets, should not be counted as buffer stock.
He said actual reserve stock refers to rice stored in central warehouses under the supervision of Padiberas Nasional Berhad.
According to him, once rice is distributed to wholesalers, it is no longer part of the reserve system and must be replenished through local production or imports.
He said Sabah’s rice self-sufficiency level (SSL) is about 19 per cent, with the remaining 81 per cent dependent on imports, making the State vulnerable to external factors such as export restrictions, price hikes and geopolitical uncertainties.
He said granting Sabah autonomy through a proposed Sabah Rice and Paddy Board would allow the State to manage import sources more efficiently, ensure timely supply and maintain adequate stock levels during potential disruptions.
