KUCHING: One of the key factors contributing to the high price of fresh beef in Sarawak is the state government’s strict control over meat imports to ensure food safety and public health.
Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, noted that beef prices in Sarawak are among the highest in the country, with some areas reporting prices as high as RM95 per kilogramme.
“In Sarawak, I understand that beef is among the most expensive. This is because the state government imposes strict regulations on meat imports, particularly from countries that are not free from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
“We only permit imports from countries that are certified free from this disease,” he told reporters after attending an ‘ibadah korban’ (sacrificial ritual) event organised by the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) of Kampung Sungai Laruh at Taman Hussein Mosque, Petra Jaya, today.
To address this issue in the long term, Fadillah suggested enhancing local cattle farming.
“I believe we must encourage local livestock breeding.
“If we can increase domestic cattle production, we will be able to stabilise prices and better meet growing demand,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that the local livestock industry faces several challenges, the main one being the availability of quality cattle breeds.
“The main issue now is identifying a breed suitable for local farming.
“We need to work closely with the Department of Veterinary Services and the Department of Agriculture to find appropriate breeds that can be developed scientifically and systematically,” he added.
Previously, the Sarawak Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development had set a target of rearing 60,000 cattle by 2030 as part of a long-term strategy to boost the state’s Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL) in beef production.
Current reports indicate that Sarawak’s beef SSL is only around 15 per cent, meaning the state still relies heavily on imported meat.
On June 4, a national daily reported that beef prices in Sarawak had reached up to RM95 per kilogramme, depending on the location.
During the ‘ibadah korban’ event earlier, Fadillah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Petra Jaya, said the spirit of Hari Raya Aidiladha should be reflected not only through acts of worship, but also through the collective effort and sacrifice made for the betterment of society and the nation.
He shared that a total of 58 cows had been distributed across the Petra Jaya constituency for korban rituals, with the meat handed over to recipients through local mosques and JKKKs.
He later also attended another ‘Ibadah Korban’ programme organised by the JKKK of Kampung Masjid at Jalan Ajibah Abol.
