Eliminate middlemen, address food security issues, says expert
Federation of Malaysian Business Associations Chairman Datuk Abdul Malik Abdullah
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Federation of Malaysian Business Associations Chairman Datuk Abdul Malik Abdullah said there are still many changes to be made and emphasis to be given on food security.
"We all know very clearly that Malayisa is having a lot of issues with high prices of goods and inflation.
"Over time, the prices of certain items such as chicken, vegetables, and eggs have risen.
"Malaysia is a country with ideal temperatures and plenty of plants to grow crops.
"Despite having many agencies to oversee the agriculture industry, such as the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama), Felcra and Felda, we aren't able to produce food for some 30 billion people? he asked.
Abdul Malik said this during the Sinar Daily's Wacana English Edition themed 'Rationalising Madani Budget 2023'.
Commenting further, he urged the government to work with industry players to eliminate the role of middlemen.
"The issue with the existence of middlemen is that they make the most profit and money.
"Middlemen are also akin to cartels; for instance, the issue we faced with meat cartels, where meats brought into the country are not halal.
"Therefore, the government should work with industry players and come up with a comprehensive plan to encapsulate the government's efforts for the next 10, 20, or 30 years so we are not dependent on outsiders or the middleman," he said.
The Wacana programme also featured IDEAS Deputy Research Director Sri Murniati Yusuf and Dr Zulkiply Omar of the Universiti Malaya Social Wellbeing Research Centre.
