Perak: The government has not ruled out the possibility of increasing rice imports from several regional countries following the ongoing conflict involving India and Pakistan. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu stated that the turmoil between the two nations is expected to impact Malaysia’s rice import supply.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu expressed concerns about the potential disruption in rice imports, as India and Pakistan collectively account for about 38 percent of Malaysia’s rice supply. He emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stating, “I hope and am confident that both sides do not want war.” The minister also mentioned plans to collaborate with neighboring countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia to safeguard Malaysia’s rice supply chain.
The statement came during a press conference following the official inauguration of the Perak Farmers’ Organisation’s Certified Padi Seed Production Centre. The event was honored by the presence of Sultan Nazrin Shah, the Sultan of Perak, who officiated the ceremony.
International news outlets have reported that the conflict between India and Pakistan was triggered by a deadly attack in Kashmir, India, on April 22, resulting in 26 fatalities.
In other matters, Minister Mohamad Sabu expressed confidence that Malaysia would not experience panic buying of chicken eggs. He attributed this to ongoing government initiatives, including the ‘Jualan Rahmah’ and ‘Jualan Agro’ programs, which ensure a stable supply.
Addressing concerns of potential price hikes for eggs after the full removal of government subsidies on August 1, the minister dismissed them as speculative. He noted, “It’s just a projection. We’ve seen similar concerns before, such as when chicken prices were floated, but prices actually remained stable.” He remained optimistic that global decreases in feed costs, such as soy and grain corn, would help stabilize egg prices.
The Federation of Livestock Farmers’ Associations of Malaysia (FLFAM) had earlier suggested in a news report that egg prices might increase if production costs persist at the current rate of 38 sen per egg following the subsidy removal.