KUALA LUMPUR – Consumers and traders are perplexed over the shortage of fresh poultry, including at wet markets, as early as 7am today, reported The Vibes’ sister portal Getaran.
The issue has become a hot topic among Malaysians on social media, with some sharing their frustration over the apparent supply disruption.
Kangar MP Noor Amin Ahmad took to Twitter to share an anecdote that a poultry trader told him, that it is not an issue with the supply, but the ceiling prices are not profitable for them.
“Here we learn the importance of positive and negative government market intervention.”
Meanwhile, user @wudulover criticised the consumers, saying the public did not educate themselves about the realities of the economy and were easily swayed by low prices.
“This time there are no chickens (for sale) in the morning market,” said Twitter user @DaNFiZ in reply to @f4krOlsOOd who shared that “food traders must be having headaches as poultry supply is insufficient”.
User @faizkip claimed that there will be no fresh poultry tomorrow and the day after, lamenting that the ministers should be doing something to ease the problem.
Some traders at the Selayang wholesale market here bought live chickens directly from breeders as a stopgap measure.
There were also reports that some poultry sellers in Penang had to limit their sale per customer due to the shortage, while other traders had to close their small businesses for a few days.
Just two days ago, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi denied allegations that a group of poultry industry cartels were planning to close poultry farms on Saturday and Sunday, a move that would affect the supply of chicken.
He added that only one livestock farm company in Melaka would be closed for two days, adding that the closure would not affect the chicken supply in the market.
It was reported that a group of poultry industry cartels had planned to close farms for two days to protest against the government’s delay in subsidy payment. – The Vibes, May 21, 2022
