Why look at eggs in India? Come to Ayer Hitam, Wee tells Mat Sabu

 

Ayer Hitam MP Wee Ka Siong has taken a swipe at Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu for placing importance on the importation of eggs over local supply.

This comes after the latter visited an egg production farm in Tamil Nadu, India, to ensure that the eggs imported into Malaysia were safe, clean and cheaper than locally produced eggs.

Addressing the minister as “Abang Mat”, the MCA president called for the prioritisation of local farmers instead, suggesting that Mohamad inspect the egg production in Ayer Hitam, Johor.

“Abang Mat, is it necessary to go so far as India to see eggs?

“I suggest you just come to my constituency Ayer Hitam. In Yong Peng, there are more than 100 chicken farms and this is the most popular egg production destination for the domestic market and Singapore, whereby millions of eggs are exported to our neighbouring country daily,” he said on Facebook today.

Ayer Hitam MP Wee Ka Siong

Wee claimed that local farmers were facing losses due to production costs being higher than the prices of eggs sold, which is at 41 sen per egg due to price control.

He instead suggested raising the prices of locally produced eggs to remain competitive with the eggs imported from India, priced at 51 sen per egg.

“Abang Mat, what if local egg prices are no longer being controlled and are allowed to be sold at RM0.50 each?

“Chicken farmers will be able to continue their businesses without suffering any loss. If we want to help the B40 group, we can provide an egg allowance to relieve the financial burden of this particular group,” he said.

Wee added that there was no need to import eggs from India if the local egg supply was sufficient.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu

In December last year, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry announced the importation of eggs from India on a trial basis as a short-term measure to ensure sufficient supply in the country at competitive prices.

This was due to consumers facing difficulty getting eggs in several states.

Berita Harian reported that the eggs from India will be imported by sea to lower their prices and remain competitive with the price of local eggs.

The shipment containing the eggs will also be air-conditioned to maintain quality.

However, Wee questioned the freshness of the imported eggs as sea transportation from India will take three to four weeks. - Mkini