PUTRAJAYA must reveal its plans and strategy to guarantee sufficient food supply in the country, M. Kula Segaran said today.

The former human resources minister expressed his concerns following news of temporary closure of poultry farms, with some sellers planning a strike and consumers complaining of chicken shortage at wet markets. 

“In Ipoh, when I visited the markets, I met with sellers who said they will go on strike as they are unable to make money, with the government capping the price at RM8.90 per kg.  

“The price, they say, is not feasible as that amounts to their cost price and would make no sense for them to do business like this,” the Ipoh Barat MP said in a statement today. 

Labelling the current crop of ministers as “incompetent” for their lack of efficiency in addressing the food security issue, Kula called on the government to hand out subsidies immediately.  

“The government should step in and roll out subsidies immediately as food security is a very important matter. It cannot be delayed due to the incompetence or lack of efficiency of ministers.

“The prime minister can step in and do something about this. There is no need to wait for his ministers,” he said. 

Over the past few days, news reports have revealed plans by a chicken processing plant in Jasin, Malacca, to close for two days over the weekend and this has resulted in supply shortage at markets in several states. 

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi, who is aware of the issue, said the factory told him its chicken had not reached the desired weight of 1.8kg.

However, Utusan Malaysia then reported that not just one but four poultry companies were planning to similarly cease output over the weekend.  

Kula said the government should have been prepared with a solution for food security, given current world events.  

The DAP lawmaker said that the country is too dependent on food from abroad.

“The government should also know that due to world events, we are bound to feel the effects of food shortage soon, so what is the government’s plan?  

“There must be a mechanism to address food shortage. We have been so dependent on food imports, which amount to a mammoth RM50 billion a year. 

“This is despite the country having enough land and also perfect weather for agriculture, not to mention the potential for urban farming and vertical farming,” he said.  

Kula urged the government to encourage more Malaysians to farm.  

“Why not encourage more Malaysians to be involved in farming so we can control the fate of our food? 

“Why not introduce subsidies and grants to start this business, provide free skilling and upskilling for vertical farming and allocate land for this purpose?” he asked.  

Kula welcomed the move by Ipoh Mayor Rumaizi Baharin, who launched the urban farming project in the state recently.  

Such a move should be done nationwide, so that more people can participate even if it means planting chillies in a small pot at home, he said. 

“If food shortage is not addressed, Malaysians from the lower-income group may suffer tremendously and even lead to malnourishment,” he added. – May 22, 2022.