THE government is looking for solutions to lower the prices of food.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said this included ensuring sufficient production of eggs, chickens and vegetables.

He was responding to former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s call on the government to lower the prices of food.

Anwar said his government has made more “earnest efforts” in the short time it had been in power that the previous administration.

He also said there has been more international investors in Malaysia since he came into power.

“With (investor) confidence, the ringgit has strengthened. If our currency falls, this will lead to high import costs and an increase in the price of goods. When the prices of goods rises, including the prices of food, this will burden the people,” he said.

He said Budget 2023 would set aside funds for digitalisation and modern agriculture.

Anwar said he was also considering bigger allocations to Penang, Sabah and Sarawak, which he said were previously neglected.

Although Penang was the largest tax contributor to the country, he said the state was often marginalised in terms of federal budget allocations.

“I’m considering the matter even if there are income or expenditure constraints. We will pay attention because it is true that Penang is marginalised in terms of allocation… the same goes for Sabah and Sarawak.” – Bernama, January 24, 2023.