Yahya (second left) distributes the bubuk lambuk at Wisma Pertanian while Yeo (left) looks on.
KOTA KINABALU: Relevant departments under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry are assessing and monitoring the damage caused by mud floods to farms and tagal system in Ranau.
Its minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin, who is also the Deputy Chief Minister, said the Agriculture Department, Fisheries Department and Department of Veterinary Services and Animal Industry were examining and monitoring the situation in Ranau.
“The amount of losses has yet to be evaluated … we do not have the exact amount yet,” he said this to the media after distributing some 1,200 containers of bubur lambuk to the officers and staff at Wisma Pertanian, as well as members of the public here yesterday.
The distribution of bubur lambuk was organized by the Department of Veterinary Services and Animal Industry.
Yahya said the vegetable farms that were affected by mud floods were those located in Mesilau.
It was previously reported that the bridge into Mesilau has been destroyed by mud floods, thereby cutting off access to the vegetable farms.
On price hike of vegetables due to reduced supply, Yahya replied that Kundasang was not the only source of vegetables.
He said the vegetables planted in Ranau were highland crops which required cooler temperature, such as cabbage.
He said there were also vegetables produced in Kota Kinabalu, Beaufort, Keningau and the interior as well.
“The supplies for other vegetables are sufficient,” Yahya assured.
However, he said, many of the tagal systems in Ranau rivers were destroyed by mud floods.
In addition, he said the Shiitake mushroom farming under Rural Development Corporation (KPD) was affected because mushroom seedlings could not be delivered to contract farmers due to damaged road.
But the Desa Cattle Farm was not affected, he added.
On another matter, Yahya said the weakening of Malaysian Ringgit did have some impact on imported agricultural goods to Sabah.
Nonetheless, he said the depreciation of Ringgit would not have much effect on chicken, eggs, fish and vegetables because local supply of these items was sufficient.
He said there were consumers who opted to purchase imported vegetables.
”But that does not mean that we will starve or unable to eat vegetables if we do not import (from other countries).
”We have our own vegetables, we have our own fish, we have our own chicken and our supply of chicken eggs is sufficient,” he said.
Yahya also assured that the food supply was sufficient for Hari Raya celebration.
Even if unexpected event occurs, he said the government has more than three months of food stock, like rice and flour.
On the protest on the five per cent state sales tax (SST) on seafood export, Yahya said the Finance Minister cum Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman had explained that the tax had not been enforced or implemented yet.
“It is still under study… it has not been implemented yet.”
As for the July 1 registration deadline for seafood exporters, Yahya said the deadline had not been enforced.
Nevertheless, he said the matter was under the jurisdiction of the Finance Ministry, which was looking into the SST.
Also present was the Department of Veterinary Services and Animal Industry director Dr Yeo Boon Kiat.