By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan called on the Sabah Government and Federal Government to immediately prepare Sabahans for the supply crisis expected to hit by June.
Jeffrey said the Federal Government’s own economic advisor warned this week that Malaysia is heading into a supply crisis by June, comparing it to February 2020 right before Covid-19 changed everything overnight.
“This is a supply-side crisis where you cannot spend your way out of something that does not exist, and Malaysia’s fuel supply is secure only until June before shortages could stretch into late 2026 or even 2027,” he said.
Jeffrey explained that fuel shortages are just the first wave since the entire supply chain for fertiliser, food production, plastics, packaging materials, and industrial chemicals runs on what is now stuck behind a blockade or shut down in Middle Eastern oil fields.
Making matters worse, Jeffrey said weather forecasts indicate a Super El Niño event developing in July and August that will bring severe drought conditions, meaning Sabah could face both fuel shortages and water shortages simultaneously.
“I am asking the Sabah Government what is the plan to secure water supply ahead of El Niño, how will electricity supply be maintained when fuel becomes scarce, and what steps are being taken to protect local food production and distribution,” he said.
Jeffrey said water supply, electricity, and food security are state responsibilities and the State Government must act now rather than wait until the crisis hits.
On the Federal Government’s role, Jeffrey asked what the national plan is to secure supply chains beyond June and how Putrajaya will protect Sabah, which sits further from supply centres than the peninsula.
“Both State and Federal Governments must prepare the people now with clear plans and guidance rather than hoping the problem goes away,” he said.
Jeffrey also urged both governments to promote practical preparedness measures such as carpooling programmes, work-from-home policies for suitable roles, and community-level food growing initiatives especially in urban areas that will be hardest hit when supply chains fail.
While supply chains are still functioning for now, Jeffrey advised Sabahans to begin preparing in their own way without resorting to panic buying, as sensible preparation now will prevent panic later.
“Sabahans can start backyard farming, grow vegetables and herbs, even rear chickens if space allows, because these small steps taken now will provide food security when supply disruptions worsen in the coming months,” he said.
Jeffrey stressed that preparation does not mean stripping shelves bare, but rather building household resilience through modest food growing, water conservation, and reduced fuel dependence before the crisis deepens.
“The time for the government to act is now, and the time for Sabahans to prepare calmly is also now, not after the queues form and the shelves empty,” he said.
‘I am asking the Sabah Government what is the plan to secure water supply ahead of El Niño, how will electricity supply be maintained when fuel becomes scarce, and what steps are being taken to protect local food production and distribution’ – Jeffrey
