KOTA KINABALU – The sudden ban on poultry export could affect trade ties with other countries such as Singapore in the future, said Sabah opposition chief Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
“If we stop exporting chicken to Singapore, Singapore will buy from others. This will affect the relationship between the two nations in the future. One day, Singapore will stop buying from Malaysia, and this will affect the sources of income of our people,” he said in a Facebook live session last night.
He took a swipe at the federal government, saying it should have taken action to ensure ample poultry supply before resorting to an export ban.
“For example, if Malaysia needs 15 million chickens, and we are producing 20 million, we should not keep the excess five million from being exported.”
He said the export of the excess poultry will enable the industry players to profit and further develop the poultry farming sector.
“As a trading nation, Malaysia has to ensure that it is producing more than it needs so that it will be able to export.
“Because if we rely on domestic consumption, not only that the prices are controlled, the industry players cannot keep the chickens for too long or its prices will decline.”
Shafie said the government must have a comprehensive plan to ensure food security in Malaysia, instead of relying on short-term solutions.
Among his suggestions are to identify suitable land for cultivating fruits and vegetables while focusing on producing fertilisers and animal feed.
He added that the government should identify potential food products that can be produced locally and boost their production, as well as invest in the long-term production of staple items such as rice.
On May 23, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob imposed a ban on poultry exports effective June 1 as the government desperately tries to stabilise product supply and prices locally.
He said the ban on export involved approximately 3.6 million birds monthly and that the government had abolished approved permits (AP) for imports as well as facilitating the claim process for subsidies among farmers. – The Vibes, June 5, 2022
