TO mitigate soaring cost of food prices, Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) urged the Government to enact several short-term measures to alleviate the people’s burden.  

Among others, its senior vice president Steven Choong urged the Government to provide a 10% tax rebate on the income tax payable by farmers and livestock producers.  

“And we should consider providing a 10% subsidy on fertilisers and chicken feed. These measures can help us control price of agricultural produce such as chickens at a reasonable level to both consumers and producers,” he said, in a statement.  

On June 21, the Government announced that it would abolish subsidies for bottled cooking oil and lift the ceiling price for chicken and eggs and raise utility rates. 

Following criticism from many quarters, Putrajaya backtracked on the matter three days later, except for edible oil, which will see its price being floated starting tomorrow.  

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the formation of a committee to wage “jihad” (holy war) on inflation.  

Dubbed the “Pasukan Khas Jihad Tangani Inflasi” (Special Jihad Taskforce Against Inflation), the committee will be headed by Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa and he would be tasked to control the soaring prices of goods in the country. 

On that note, Choong said the Government mst place more emphasis on food security issues and establish mechanisms to ensure food supply remains adequate in country; at an affordable price.  

Modernise agriculture practises  

For that, the Tebrau MP urged the Government to modernise Malaysia’s agriculture sector and employ blockchain technology to improve yields.  

“We have not seen large scale hi-tech farming and engaging technology to guide and monitor the best time for sowing, manuring and harvesting as well as developing new clones.  

“Rearing fish and sea cucumbers on shores in tanks stacks on multi-level rack engaging tools and technique in monitoring water temperature, oxygen saturation and PH level and the use of food waste as feeds are also not employed at a commercial scale,” Choong noted.  

He remarked: “Both Putrajaya and state governments must look at boosting food production urgently by encouraging joint venture between the local and foreign entrepreneurs to fast track the adaption of technology in farming, rearing fishes and lives stocks.” – June 30, 2022