Chicken shortage: Govt stops export from June 1 until supply stabilises

 

The government today decided to stop Malaysia's monthly export of 3.6 million chickens beginning June 1 to address a food supply shortage.

The decision is expected to affect the supply of chicken in Singapore, which according to the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry is the largest importer of chicken from Malaysia.

In a statement, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) is investigating claims that there is a cartel that controls the price and production of chicken among large companies and promised that stern action would be taken against those found sabotaging chicken supply.

"The probe is expected to be completed by June. If it is found that there is a cartel agreement (among companies), the government will initiate legal action against them,” he added.

The government will also reintroduce an initiative started by Ismail Sabri back in 2014 called 'Jihad Memerangi Orang Tengah' (fight against the middlemen), which aims to reduce the role of resellers who are believed to be responsible for manipulating the price and supply of goods.

"For this, the National Farmers Organisation has been given the role to lead the initiative," Ismail Sabri said.

Rakyat first

As a short term measure to address the shortage of chicken, the prime minister said the cabinet meeting today made several decisions regarding the issue.

"First, the government is stopping the monthly export of 3.6 million chickens beginning June 1 until the price and production of chicken here is stabilised. This is a move taken by the government to prioritise our rakyat first," he added.

The cabinet also decided to abolish the approved permit (AP) for chicken products, including whole chicken and chicken parts, to allow importers to be able to source more supplies.

Additionally, the cabinet decided it will raise the number of recognised chicken slaughtering facilities overseas to increase the supply of imported chickens, the premier said.

Today's meeting also saw the attorney-general advising the cabinet to fully utilise the Control of Supply Act 1961 against supply hoarding or sabotage.

The prime minister said that any individual or company violating the Act can have action taken against them including revoking their licence.

"Thus, the government has ordered the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry and the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to conduct monitoring and checks, and take strong action against any party that violates the law," he added. - Mkini