Ban on lorries in Cameron Highlands can affect vegetable supply, govt told

 

A vegetable farmer in Cameron Highlands. Commercial vehicles carrying farm produce will be banned from using part of the federal road there during certain peak periods from Feb 7. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: A DAP assemblyman has warned that banning commercial vehicles from using the federal road in Cameron Highlands on weekends can impact the supply of vegetables nationwide.

Tanah Rata assemblyman Ho Chi Yang said farmers would need to harvest and deliver vegetables to markets throughout Malaysia in the shortest possible time.

This is because the vegetables are easily perishable, he said.

“This disruption (to the delivery of vegetables) will eventually burden consumers and affect the government’s efforts to improve the country’s food security.

“As such, I urge the works ministry not to hastily implement this ban, and seek the opinion of all parties in order to ensure a continuous food supply in Malaysia,” he said in a statement today.

The works ministry had earlier announced that commercial vehicles will be barred from using part of the federal road at Cameron Highlands from 10am to 3pm during weekends, public holidays and school holidays from Feb 7.

Ho said there had been no discussions or explanation before the gazette on the ban was issued. He said this had led to confusion among farmers and transporters.

His statement comes a day after the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) claimed that prices of several types of vegetables had skyrocketed by more than 160% in the last month.

CAP also said retailers, distributors and wholesalers had warned that prices of other vegetables might go up in the coming weeks. - FMT