Malaysia

Providing food security to S’pore a boon, not bane, for M’sia: Anwar

PM says countries must consider collaborating to boost production

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 30 Jan 2023 7:02PM

Providing food security to S’pore a boon, not bane, for M’sia: Anwar
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (right) says he has not suggested that Malaysia export food to Singapore, but that both countries must consider collaborating to increase food production. – Pic courtesy of the Prime Minister’s Office, January 30, 2023

by Azril Annuar

SINGAPORE – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has clarified that providing a food security blanket to Singapore does not mean that Malaysia will be exporting food to the city state while jeopardising its own position.

Speaking to the press at the tail end of his one-day official visit here today, the prime minister explained that what he meant was the potential cooperation to increase food production for Malaysia.

“I did not suggest we export to Singapore. I just said it’s incumbent for both countries to look at the possibility of collaborating in increasing food production. It can be a major Singapore investment which will meet both our requirements and theirs.

“Currently, our imports have exceeded RM65 to RM70 billion (a year), so we need massive investments – be it domestic and foreign – which includes Singapore because they are our immediate neighbour,” said Anwar.

Earlier, when he toasted Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Anwar had mentioned that Malaysia can become the rice bowl for Singapore. 

The Tambun MP is on his first official visit to the island nation and was accompanied by his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and a delegation of officials including Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, International Trade and Industries Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi among others. – The Vibes, January 30, 2023

Related News

Events / 4h

Hong Kong shopping festival makes ASEAN debut in Malaysia

Events / 2w

NestBloom steps up regional expansion with Malaysia entry 

World / 3w

Singapore launches world’s first data centre powered by living human brain cells

World / 1mth

Former Singapore president now thinks twice about patting children after Roxy Square incident

Malaysia / 1mth

S'pore driver involved in altercation with Malaysian policeman near Woodlands Checkpoint

Malaysia / 1mth

Play chess, not checkers: Why Negeri Sembilan matters

Spotlight

Malaysia

'H1' hits RM10.7 million in H-series registration number bidding

Malaysia

Anwar’s China visit puts Malaysia’s technology, skills and connectivity plans in focus

Malaysia

Ten former Bar Council presidents affirm Tuanku Muhriz as rightful Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri

Malaysia

Ismail Lasim’s continuous shifting stances leave Negeri administration in deeper bind

Malaysia

Loke’s resignation will be huge loss to the people, says Guan Eng

By Ian McIntyre

Malaysia

Attorney-General: Najib house arrest still pending RM50m fine payment

Malaysia

Rosmah Mansor: Overseas friends offer donations to help Najib pay RM50m fine

World

Thai woman found strangled in suitcase in Taiwan office freezer

You may be interested

Malaysia

Anwar’s China visit puts Malaysia’s technology, skills and connectivity plans in focus

Malaysia

Attorney-General: Najib house arrest still pending RM50m fine payment

Malaysia

Woman dies after rafting boat overturns at Sungai Pertak rapid

Malaysia

‘Daddy is not home yet, but he is touched by the support’ – Yana Najib

Malaysia

Unhealthy air quality hits 23 areas as haze spreads across Malaysia

Malaysia

Immigration enforcement: 1,720 employers, premises owners face action in illegal migrants’ crackdown

Malaysia

Anwar: Election wins cannot override constitutional role of Malay Rulers

Malaysia

21 air monitoring stations record unhealthy readings