Malaysia’s Food Supply Stable And Sufficient - Mohamad Sabu

MELAKA, April 4 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s food supply is sufficient and stable, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

However, he said the government was closely monitoring the situation, as any ongoing disruptions, particularly in energy and logistics, could have an impact on the global food system.

“We cannot guarantee how long the existing stocks will last. When new stocks arrive at current (market) prices, there is a possibility that prices may change.

“It depends on the current situation. Prolonged conflicts that affect global oil supplies will have a major impact on the cost of food production and distribution worldwide,” he said told a press press conference after officiating the Sentuhan Agro MADANI Programme at Dewan Datuk Demang Hussin, Bukit Katil, today.

He added that the government was managing the situation under a crisis preparedness framework, with continuous monitoring and immediate action planned if conditions worsened.

Mohamad said among the measures to be taken were discussions with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), which would be held soon should there be any changes to subsidies or assistance for the people.

“We are working in a crisis preparedness mode rather than an emergency situation. The Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) may call us at any time for coordination and further instructions,” he said.

Mohamad said agencies under the ministry, including the Farmers’ Organisation Authority (LPP), would continue to provide the latest information to farmers to ensure that any changes could be addressed quickly and effectively.

He said that maintaining good relations with network countries would give Malaysia an advantage in offering competitive prices for agricultural needs such as fertiliser.

“We rely heavily on these imported goods. We will therefore discuss in detail, including with KPDN, regarding the prices of imported goods if there are any changes,” he said.

Earlier, Mohamad said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security had allocated development allocations this year to various agencies in Melaka to strengthen the food supply chain and improve productivity in the agro-food sector.

Among the recipients were LPP with RM1.8 million, the Agriculture Department (RM3.55 million), the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (RM400,000), the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (RM1.15 million), the Department of Veterinary Services (RM88,000), the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) (RM558,000) and the Department of Fisheries Malaysia (RM1.3 million).

Today’s programme also featured the Agro MADANI Sales, which offered various basic necessities at prices up to 30 per cent lower through the collaboration of agencies under the ministry.

-- BERNAMA