PM : 'food security' policy in the works
Malaysiakini.com
Apr 19, 2008
Andrew Ong

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today announced that the government was in the midst of formulating a policy to ensure adequate supply of essential food in the near future. MCPX

The prime minister said the policy was needed to stave off effects of soaring global food prices and inflation. He added that RM4 billion would be allocated for the policy.

Among others, the allocation would be used to fund food production and stockpiling projects with the first of such project being a large-scale rice-production facility in Sarawak.

bn mp retreat 190408 press conference“I’ve already told (Sarawak Chief Minister) Taib Mahmud to get his people ready,” Abdullah told reporters after launching the Barisan Nasional MPs retreat in Kuala Lumpur today.

Abdullah added that a high-powered committee comprising of government, public and private sector would be established to look into ways to tackle problems arising from inflation.

The committee will include experts from various fields as and when needed, such as experts in the food industry or oil industry.

“This committee will meet as regularly as possible. At least once every two weeks. If they need to meet more often,” he said.

Other than experts, Abdullah said the government would be listening to public feedback and has commissioned the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (Isis) to hold regular public forums.

9MP review

Other than the rice-production project in Sarawak, Abdullah was hesitant to reveal further details, such as whether the government would review oil subsidies.

“I don’t want to go into details. Just accept the fact that we understand the issue,” he responded to a question.

The premier also announced that the government would review the priorities of projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan and study projects which would be continued or abandoned.

“We need to study the priorities of projects which we have embarked on. These include big projects and we will decide whether to proceed or suspend,” he added.

Abdullah said relevant government department and agencies such as the Economic Planning Unit would be providing reports and analysis to the government regarding the viability of such projects.

He added the government also needed to take into consideration the rising cost of building materials in deciding on the fate of the projects.

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