KUALA LUMPUR: The government isn’t hiding any details behind the sole Malaysian company allowed to import eggs from India, says Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
“The company is J&E, check and see who’s in there and who’s their chairman. I’m not hiding anything. I will reveal everything.
“This is ‘abang mat’ lah,” said Mohamad, in reference to his nickname, during his winding-up speech on Budget 2023 in Parliament on Wednesday (March 8).
Mohamad was responding to a supplementary question by Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan (PN-Tasek Gelugor), who asked if the government was hiding the name of the sole company importing eggs from India to Malaysia.
Mohamad was referring to J&E Advance Tech Sdn Bhd, which recently issued two letters of demand against Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) for raising the issue of imported eggs in Parliament recently.
Dr Wee had previously said he is totally unfazed by the two lawsuits and that he would not stop voicing out issues affecting the rakyat in Parliament.
Earlier, Dr Wee asked whether there were any imported eggs that were rejected by the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis).
“Whether or not I’m sued, it’s not an issue because I want the government to solve this issue,” said Dr Wee.
Mohamad did not say whether or not any imported eggs were rejected, but said the prices of chicken and eggs can be reduced if grain and corn, which are used as chicken feed, can be produced in various states.
“If the prices of corn can be reduced, chicken and egg prices will recover.
“We want farmers to make money and Malaysians to not bear the burden of increasing prices. We want everyone to feel good and that’s what we are hoping for in Malaysia,” added Mohamad.
Dr Wee had previously warned that the government would face a barrage of criticisms if the chicken egg shortage was not solved as Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri drew near.
Presently, imported eggs from India are sold at 50 sen each and local eggs at 41 sen due to price control.
Dr Wee also said that many local egg farmers were sustaining losses as production costs are higher than the controlled prices.
Mohamad had previously said that the government is providing a 10 sen subsidy for each egg until June.
