January 10, 2023

Subsidies on chicken to remain in Malaysia

Malaysia's National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol) has proposed to maintain the current subsidies on chicken until policies to improve the mechanism are finalised, The Edge Markets reported.

Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister, said after chairing a Naccol meeting that this will be done through revising policy and legislation, empowering competition to create healthy and fair market, and to protect the interests of consumers from the threat of cartels and monopolies.

Ahmad Zaid also said Naccol proposed that the country's Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) boost direct-from-farm sales, with 10,000 sales are anticipated at 1,793 sales locations nationwide.

The meeting also suggested that Fama be upgraded as a Food Safety and Security Agency to ensure that the production and distribution of chosen major foods for the country are done consistently, efficiently, and sufficiently, adding that the prices are expected to be lower than the market price.

Ahmad Zahid said market segments should be identified for sales to be more effective and advantageous to the target group. Data from relevant agencies, such as the Department of Statistics Malaysia, should be used.

-      The Edge Markets