Is Malaysia heading for a rice crisis?

 

The country produces 60 to 70 per cent of its needs but imports the rest from Vietnam, Thailand, Pakistan, India and Cambodia. Imports are set to spike further when the population grows to 43 million in 2059. - NSTP file pic

RICE has been a staple food for the people in Asia, including Malaysians, for thousand of years. The growth of the tin mining and plantation industries in British Malaya then drove its consumption.

Unfortunately, the British neglected rice cultivation in favour of tin and rubber production, resulting in complacent production that continues to this day. Colonial laws ensured rice cultivation was done exclusively by the Malays until 1939. Post-Independence, rice production surged following the Green Revolution and infrastructural modernisation through the Muda Irrigation Project (1966–1970).

The adoption of new technologies enabled Kedah and Perlis to double-crop annually and become the nation's rice bowl. Indigenous tribes believe in the "rice soul", a "spirit" that's reverently treated, especially during harvest celebrations.

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Transcending calories and nutrients, rice is now a civilisational engine that organises human life, thought and essential governance, administering and retailing 9,000 tonnes daily and more than 3.25 million tonnes annually. Driven by rapid urbanisation, rice consumption grew two per cent on a year-over-year basis, consistent with Malaysia's population growth of 7.18 million in 1957 to 35 million in 2025.

The country produces 60 to 70 per cent of its needs but imports the rest from Vietnam, Thailand, Pakistan, India and Cambodia. Imports are set to spike further when the population grows to 43 million in 2059.

The implication now is that while imports rise, local production continually lags. Added to this dire mix are ageing farmers, reduced cultivation land, drought and other climate change-induced water supply issues, high production costs, seed availability and rising diesel prices.

These all aggravate massive land idleness, not helped by a rice supply monopoly that makes farming unattractive and non-viable.

Lately, padi farmers have been worried by the Muda Agricultural Development Authority's push for dry direct seeding for the upcoming planting season. The method reduces water use, but without farmer training, soil management and mechanisation support, it risks depressing yields and farmer confidence. Yields, the farmers warned, may drop by 80 per cent.

In response, the government has pledged to increase the national rice buffer stock to 300,000 tonnes, supervised by the National Padi and Rice Industry Consultative Committee, to maintain staple security. While these initiatives cushion short-term shocks, they are unsustainable if domestic production weakens.

In the meantime, the rice authorities could look to India, China and Japan for modern sustainable farming techniques. Investments should go to drought and heat-resistant rice varieties and planting calendars should be based on climate data. Large-scale padi projects should also be expanded and five seasons in two years should be introduced.

The alternative option is to simply increase imports, a huge strain on the national coffers. The unsettling economic and culinary repercussions? Prices of the indispensable nasi lemak, nasi ayam and nasi kandar will only continue to soar. - NST

Not true, Nurul Izzah says of rumoured resignation

 The PKR deputy president says there are no changes to the party’s current leadership.

Nurul Izzah Anwar was elected PKR’s deputy president for the 2025-2028 term during last year’s party polls.

PETALING JAYA:

 PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar has rubbished claims circulating on social media that she has resigned from the post.

“It is not true at all,” she said in a statement.

Nurul Izzah, the daughter of PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, said she is committed to fulfilling the responsibility she was entrusted with.

“There are no changes to the current leadership and my main focus now is to strengthen the party’s agenda,” she said.

She said that while she appreciates the concern shown over the issue, the public should not be swayed by fake information or “malicious speculation”, but should refer to the party’s official communiques.

The former Permatang Pauh MP’s denial comes days after PKR information chief Fahmi Fadzil dismissed claims that she had resigned as “fake news”.

Nurul Izzah was elected PKR’s deputy president for the 2025-2028 term during last year’s party polls.

She defeated the incumbent, Rafizi Ramli, in a straight fight. - FMT

Peeping Tom charged for recording woman in supermarket toilet

 

KLUANG: A peeping Tom has pleaded guilty under Section 509 of the Penal Code at the Kluang Magistrate’s Court on Monday (March 30) to recording a video inside a public toilet.

The Kluang Magistrate’s Court granted bail of RM2,000 to the accused, an 18-year-old local teenager, and set May 25, 2026, for next mention.

“The boy was arrested for allegedly peeping and recording a video inside the ladies’ toilet of a supermarket near here,’’ Kluang OCPD Asst Comm Bahrin Mohd Noh said in a statement.

He said the accused was arrested on Thursday (March 26) after a video of the incident went viral on TikTok.

“He was arrested in the supermarket on the same day at 9.45pm,” ACP Bahrin said.

The accused tested negative for drugs and had no previous criminal record.

He said the case is being investigated under Section 509 and Section 377D of the Penal Code.

Section 509 criminalises words, sounds, gestures, or objects intended to insult modesty or intrude upon their privacy. It carries a penalty of up to five years imprisonment, a fine, or both.

Section 377D criminalises acts of gross indecency committed in public or private, carrying up to two years’ imprisonment.

ACP Bahrin called upon those with knowledge or information on such cases to come forward to assist the Kluang Police District Contingent by calling 07-7784222, 07-7784246 (Direct Line), 07-7766822 (Hotline) or 014-3656822 (Tablet DCC). - Star

Journalist arrested for trespass while covering undocumented migrants

 

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Media Council (MMC) has expressed its concern over a Tamil-language portal journalist’s arrest while covering a story on undocumented migrants at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP).

In a statement on Monday (March 30), it stressed that news coverage – including being present at the scene and obtaining information – was part of the legitimate function of the media in reporting matters of public interest.

The council also called for the interpretation of “trespassing” in the context of journalistic work to be clarified so as not to criminalise the work of journalists.

On Monday, Thinathanti director Pavalaselvan Marimuthu confirmed journalist Kalidas Subramaniom’s arrest by Kulim district police at around 3pm.

According to Pavalaselvan, Kalidas had gone to KHTP on March 26 with seven other individuals, including media practitioners, activists, and non-governmental organisation (NGO) representatives.

“They were there to cover allegations that over 300 undocumented migrants were working without valid permits in the area.

“We are not just a blog; we are registered with the Information Department and have official media cards. This arrest is very shocking,” he said.

Pavalaselvan explained that Kulim police contacted Kalidas to record his statement in relation to allegations of trespassing.

“However, after he arrived at the station, we were told police arrested him for further investigation,” he said.

The MMC urged that the investigation be conducted transparently and professionally, so as to respect journalists’ rights to carry out their duties without undue interference or pressure

Meanwhile, Malaysian Tamil Press Association chief S. Muthameez Manan also condemned the arrest and said he had raised the matter with Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

Fahmi has reportedly said he would look into the matter. - Star

Heavy traffic expected at Woodlands, Tuas checkpoints over long weekend from April 3

 

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has warned of heavy congestion and longer clearance times at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints over the upcoming Good Friday and Qing Ming long weekend from April 3 to 5.

In an advisory posted on its official website, ICA said that, in view of the heightened global security situation, including recent developments in West Asia, it has stepped up security checks on arriving travellers, cargo, and conveyances at all checkpoints.

"Travellers should expect longer waiting times to clear immigration and are advised to check the traffic situation at the land checkpoints before embarking on their journey," it said on Monday (March 30).

According to ICA, the recent March school holiday and Hari Raya Aidilfitri weekend from March 13 to 22 saw more than five million travellers cross the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints.

The immigration authority noted that traffic peaked on March 18, with more than 564,000 travellers crossing in a single day.

"During peak hours, car travellers experienced waiting times of up to three hours for immigration clearance due to traffic tailback from Malaysia.

"Travellers are strongly encouraged to consider taking cross-border bus services as an alternative to driving, to avoid congestion at the land checkpoints," it added. – Bernama

We’re losing our doctors but can we blame them?

 

THERE’S a quiet crisis happening in Malaysia’s hospitals. And it’s not about equipment shortages or bed capacity. It’s about people—our young doctors, fresh out of medical school—who are quietly choosing to leave.

Let me give you a number that should stop you cold: Only 529 out of 5,000 housemanship spots offered this January were accepted. That’s just 10.5%.

Think about that. Nearly 4,500 young Malaysian doctors said “no” to starting their medical careers at home. Not because they don’t love their country. But because they don’t see a future here.

And Singapore? They’re watching. They’re ready. With open arms and contracts that offer S$110,000 (about RM385,000) to start—plus permanent jobs, pensions, and actual career paths.

Recruiters are already talking to students before they even graduate. Our top medical schools—UM, UKM, USM—are becoming feeder schools for a foreign system.

So why is this happening?

Because our own system keeps sending the wrong message. Contract after contract. Uncertainty after uncertainty. Young doctors are overworked, underpaid, and undervalued.

They burn out before they’ve even begun. There’s little mentorship, unclear promotions, and barely any light at the end of the tunnel.

They’re not asking for luxury. They’re asking for dignity.

Ending the contract system—which the Health Ministry is reportedly considering—is a good first step. But it’s just that: a first step. We need permanent posts. Clear pathways. Real support. Housemanship shouldn’t be survival training—it should be a place to learn and grow.

And no, we can’t outpay Singapore. We shouldn’t even try. But we can compete on something deeper: respect. Purpose. The feeling that your work matters, and that you matter too.

Young doctors want balance. They want to be recognised when they do well. They want to specialise, to research, to grow without breaking. They want public service to feel like an honour—not a trap.

 Forcing them to stay with bonds won’t work. Making them “want” to stay? That’s the only real solution.

We also need to reach out to the thousands of Malaysian doctors already working abroad. Create real return pathways. Recognise their overseas experience. Let them come home without losing ground. Short-term exchanges, faster accreditation—these aren’t handouts. They’re investments.

Here’s the hard truth: our doctors aren’t leaving because they’re disloyal. They’re leaving because the system keeps failing them. If we don’t build a healthcare system that respects, nurtures, and rewards talent, the bleeding won’t stop.

This isn’t just about policy. It’s about people.  And the time to act? It’s now. Not tomorrow. Not after more leave.

Let’s build a system our doctors are proud to serve.  Because if we don’t—honestly? We can’t blame them for walking away. 

 KT Maran

Seremban, Negri Sembilan

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT. 

- Focus Malaysia.

Malaysia’s doctor shortage deepens as brain drain intensifies

 

MALAYSIA’S public healthcare system is grappling with a deepening manpower crunch. In January 2026, the Health Ministry opened 5,000 housemanship slots to address an oversupply of graduates.

However, uptake was dismal with just 529 graduates reporting for duty, an 89.5% decline rate. What was once described as a general “brain drain” has taken a more aggressive turn.

According to MBSB Research, Singaporean recruiters are no longer waiting for young doctors to gain experience before making their move. I

nstead, they are actively approaching Malaysian medical students even before graduation.

Leading universities such as Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) have become key hunting grounds.

The pool widened further in February when the Singapore Medical Council formally recognised medical degrees from USM, making its graduates immediately eligible for recruitment.

Pay disparities are a major pull factor. Fresh doctors in Singapore can command starting salaries of around S$110,000 (roughly RM385,000) annually, up to six times higher than entry-level pay in Malaysia’s public sector.

However, remuneration is only part of the appeal. Singapore also offers clear career pathways, including permanent positions and pension schemes.

By comparison, many Malaysian graduates remain stuck in the contract doctor framework, which offers limited job security and uncertain progression.

Faced with these realities, a growing number of final-year students are opting to secure employment overseas straight after completing their studies, effectively sidestepping Malaysia’s housemanship system altogether.

In response, the Health Ministry is said to be developing a new approach to address the outflow, with details expected by the end of 2026.

Proposed changes include phasing out the contract system and reinstating permanent roles as the norm for newly qualified doctors. — Focus  Malaysia