'Not everyone can afford to raise chickens' - Lee

SHAH ALAM - Former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin should realise that not all members of the public have access to gardens or large yards to raise 30 to 40 chickens.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) communications director Lee Chean Chung pointed out that raising chickens is only feasible for some people due to the potential risk of facing fines from local authorities.

"The fact that Muhyiddin is still focused on the egg issue indicates that Perikatan Nasional (PN) has failed in their efforts to assist the people and lacks other pressing matters to address," he said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

On Monday, the Pagoh MP shared that he had begun raising egg-laying hens in his own garden as a means to address the shortage of eggs in the market.

Muhyiddin explained that based on empirical studies conducted by a group of researchers involving 1,200 respondents, the public's biggest concern is the cost of living.

Lee said Muhyiddin's statement proved the unity government's actions to implement targeted subsidies were correct.

"Currently, affluent individuals like Muhyiddin continue to enjoy chicken and egg subsidies that are meant for ordinary citizens. Those who can afford to raise chickens at home should not benefit from such subsidies provided by the government.

"When the government was discussing the issue of targeted subsidies, PN vehemently rejected the idea.

"Now the public can assess that PN, which failed to implement this idea, also defended the policy of subsidising the wealthy, apparently for their own benefit," he added.

The Petaling Jaya MP added Muhyiddin's statement was to slander the current government, but his efforts were futile.

He stated that during the tenure of the unity government, the country experienced an egg shortage starting in November 2022, with a deficit of 157 million eggs in the local market at the time.

"Who was in power at that time? None other than PN.

"If Muhyiddin had paid attention to the needs of the public, the government could have taken measures to address the issue.

"Muhyiddin must recognise that the situation improved when the unity government assumed power, and now the market rarely faces a shortage of eggs," he said.