KUALA LUMPUR – The government through the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry currently has 30% in emergency stocks for eggs and chicken supply nationwide, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Answering the question raised by Datuk Rosol Wahid (Hulu Terengganu-Bersatu) in today’s Dewan Rakyat sittings, on the government’s plan to float the ceiling price for eggs and chicken, Anwar said the ministry has been purchasing additional stocks from Thailand that would be sold for a cheaper price if necessary.
“This is what we can guarantee at the moment, seeing that the ceiling price has been reduced and supplies (of chicken and eggs) have increased.
“Seeing the current situation, there is no reason that hinders us (the government) from ensuring continuous, adequate supplies of eggs and chicken.
“So far the market price includes the wholesale market, even though the ceiling price in Sabah and Sarawak is much higher, but (still) the price is relatively low.
“However, enforcement will continue to be strengthened to ensure that no traders will try to increase the price of these two items,” Anwar said.
Agreeing with Ahmad Fadhli Shaari’s (Pasir Mas-PAS) suggestion towards injecting more cash assistance via direct cash transfer to the rakyat in need, Anwar said the government, in response, has increased the allocation for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah to RM10 billion in Budget 2024, announced recently.
However, he said, this suggestion is also being considered for a different matter, which will be announced in the near future.
“This (direct cash transfer) is to avoid leakage and subsidy benefits to foreigners and the super-rich.
“I believe foreigners come here to earn their own salary instead of subsidies. And we have a policy to be reasonable and fair to all, including foreigners. But it is not necessary for any country to provide any subsidies to foreigners.
“So, to avoid giving subsidies (to foreigners), which we can regard as ‘donations’ as well, it is untenable for us to give donations to foreigners and the super-rich. That is the principle behind why we need to implement targeted subsidies,” he added. – October 17, 2023