Govt Increases Rice Stockpile To Nine Months - Mohamad

PUTRAJAYA, March 13 (Bernama) -- The government has assured that the country’s rice supply is sufficient after the Cabinet today agreed to increase the national rice stockpile to cover a period of up to nine months to ensure food security amid uncertainty caused by geopolitical conflict in West Asia.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the move to increase the stockpile is part of the government’s early preparations to ensure the supply of basic food remains stable should the conflict involving the United States (US) and Iran continue for a prolonged period.

He said that at present, the public need not panic as food supplies, including rice, chicken, eggs, fish and meat, are sufficient at least until May or June this year.

“The Cabinet has agreed that the national rice stockpile will be increased to cover the next nine months. This is an early step to ensure the country’s food supply remains secure,” he said.

He said this at a press conference after a special Cabinet meeting that discussed the impact of the West Asia conflict on the national economy, held here today. Also present were Minister of Communications Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Minister of Finance II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.

At the same time, Mohamad said that the government is also encouraging the public to cultivate fast-growing crops such as chilli, eggplant, and chives in terrace house compounds as an additional step to increase domestic food supply.

“As an early measure, I will instruct MAFS officers who live on landed property to begin planting fast-yield crops such as chilli, eggplant, chives, and others,” he said.

He said the initiative reflects the spirit of the Green Book Campaign introduced during the tenure of Malaysia’s second Prime Minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, to ensure public participation in strengthening the country’s food security, as there is no sign that the conflict between the US and Iran will end soon.

In this regard, he advised the public not to speculate about food supply or prices, as the government is constantly monitoring the situation and taking the necessary intervention measures.

“For now, the public can celebrate Aidilfitri as usual. Insya-Allah, the country’s food supply is sufficient and well-secured,” he said.

-- BERNAMA