Muhyiddin: Protect interest of agricultural food entrepreneurs in AP abolition

 

The National Recovery Council (NRC) has called on the government to look after the interests of food entrepreneurs and the country’s agriculture sector when abolishing import permits (AP) on foodstuff so as not to bring about a negative impact on them.

NRC chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin said that even though the decision had been made, the government should also give attention to and assist local entrepreneurs so that they are not affected by the change in policy.

"I support the abolition of AP on food to benefit consumers, but we also cannot allow our entrepreneurs to suffer losses,” he told reporters after attending an Aidilfitri function organised by Penang Gerakan in Bukit Mertajam yesterday.

He said the original purpose of AP was to protect local producers which are allowed certain quotas so that there is no negative impact on local entrepreneurs.

"While you have to take that sort of policy change, the policy change should not come at the expense of local entrepreneurs," he added.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob was reported as saying the government had agreed to abolish APs for the import of foodstuff with immediate effect.

Ismail Sabri said the decision was reached in the cabinet meeting that he chaired to ensure a sufficient supply of food in the country.

- Bernama