WITH several states reporting shortage of chicken supply triggering price surge, netizens took to social media to bemoan the situation and criticised the Government for seemingly dragging their feet on the matter.
(Earlier this week, chicken price was RM8.70 per kg. On Saturday, it was RM9.60/kg and yesterday it was RM11/kg. Many shops and supermarkets in Banting and Telok Panglima Garang are selling chicken between RM10.50 and RM12 per kilo. What about others?)
Echoing Fariz’s sentiments, user Azad Abdullah said:
(Sorry to say that many people have seen this coming but the Government is too slow to act. Perhaps, their weeks of discussing the matter is all about what logo to put on items that come under the price control list)
However, netizen Helang Menyonsong Angin told Azad that there is no need to be sorry and the Government deserved the criticism.
(There is no need to be sorry. Just criticise. The Government never prioritised agriculture in the past and was focused on whole economy development despite its advantages. Even if we did do something for agriculture, there will be problems like what happened to the National Feedlot Corporation. Typical of a young nation)
Last week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob abolished approved permits (AP) for food imports in view of rising food prices.
However, Utusan Malaysia alleged that a group of cartels involving in the poultry business were planning to shut down chicken farms to protest against the Government’s purported delay in providing subsidies.
The closure is expected to skyrocket chicken prices, affecting consumers and retailers, which is already happening.
Short supply
Earlier today, DAP secretary general Anthony Loke panned the Government for its purported delay in dishing out subsidies to the chicken farm operators, which has led to the current situation.
“Although the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry had set aside RM528.52 mil in subsidies for chicken farm operators, at 60 sen a kilogramme, the rate must be reviewed from time to time in view of rising cost of chicken feed.
“And the ministry should also dish out the subsidies quickly to farm operators without the hassle of going through unnecessary bureaucracy,” the former minister wads reported as saying.
On that note, user Iffahsafwahrrosli highlighted that chicken prices have shot up to RM10.50/kg in a wet market in Kluang, Johor.
User Izzah4nuar added that she could not find a whole chicken despite scouting several areas, with several areas rationing purchases.
Netizen Shasya Edora said that the price increase did not only affect chicken but also other food items as well.
(It’s not only chicken; the price of beef, Milo, red chilli and long beans have increased too)- May 23, 2022
