‘TIN KOSONG’ ANWAR’S GOVT GETS CRACKING – RAFIZI TO ANNOUNCE MAJOR DIGITAL INVESTMENTS SOON TO DEVELOP ECONOMY – AZALINA TO CHAIR SPECIAL SECRETARIAT TO HANDLE SULU CLAIMS – MAT SABU TO LET PRICES OF CHICKEN & EGGS FLOAT AFTER JUNE, CONFIDENT NEW MECHANISM WILL KEEPING PRICES UNDER CONTROL
Prices of chicken, eggs to be floated after June, says Mat Sabu
KUALA LUMPUR — The prices of chicken and eggs are expected to be floated after June as part of the government’s efforts to overcome food shortage, says Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
“We are confident that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) will satisfy the demand for chicken and eggs (through price floating) and even now it is sufficient, but in five or six months’ time it will be more sufficient if no new undesirable matters (such as disasters) arise,” he said when interviewed at his office here.
The current retail ceiling price in Peninsular Malaysia for standard chicken is RM9.40 per kg and for eggs, it is 45 sen for Grade A, Grade B (43 sen) and Grade C (41 sen) respectively. In Langkawi, Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, the maximum prices of the items differ based on zones and districts.
Meanwhile, commenting on grain corn, which is almost 100 per cent imported from Argentina and Brazil — affecting the price of chicken and eggs — Mohamad said the government was encouraging its cultivation in Malaysia this year.
“In a few more months (grain corn crops) will start yielding… and there are already companies that want to implement (the purchase of grain corn) similar to (agricultural model of) Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas),” he said, adding that studies on grain corn cultivation are actively being carried out in Perlis.
On Budget 2023 which will be tabled this Friday, Mohamad said he hoped there would be no reduction in the amount allocated to his ministry.
He also expected the Budget to be tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to be simple, based on the concept of Malaysia Madani.
Prior to the 15th General Election at the end of last year, the government led by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had announced Budget 2023 with a total allocation of RM372.3 billion, and of the amount, RM5.32 billion was allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries. — Bernama
Govt to announce major digital investments soon – Rafizi
Major investments related to the digital economy in Malaysia will be announced by the government soon, said Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli.
“The announcement is not only good news for the country’s economy but it should be used as a catalyst to accelerate the plans in the national digital economy blueprint,” he said.
He was speaking at the monthly meeting with his ministry’s staff in Putrajaya today.
Rafizi said the Economy Ministry will organise a national “hackathon” next month to drive innovation in mainstream society.
“Previously, innovation was seen as negligible, meant only for certain people, but now for our economy to develop, we need a large group of people who can contribute to developing highly innovative products and services.
“As such, they will be accorded all the necessary assistance via the systems that we have in the public and private sectors,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, Rafizi said the government will not interfere in the investigation of the littoral combat ships issue.
He said full freedom will be accorded to the relevant authorities to probe the ship procurement, which was meant for the Royal Malaysian Navy.
“Let the MACC, the Attorney General’s Chambers, the public prosecutors, and the judges investigate and have a free hand as there is no interference,” he said when asked if the investigation would need to proceed further.
On Aug 4, 2022, the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) revealed it completed nine proceedings on the LCS issue by calling several witnesses.
The results of the proceedings found that the LCS project contract was awarded to Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd through direct negotiations with the government paying RM6 billion, yet not one LCS vessel was completed. BERNAMA
Special secretariat formed to handle Sulu claims – Azalina
The minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) said the cabinet at its meeting on Feb 17 agreed to the setting up of the special secretariat to serve as the focal point for handling the Sulu claim issues.
Azalina Othman said she would be chairing the special secretariat, with the solicitor-general II or his successor as the deputy chairperson.
“Its other members are from the Foreign Ministry, Communications and Digital Ministry, National Security Council, Research Division of the Prime Minister’s Department, the Sabah attorney-general, and local legal experts,” she said at the Ministers’ information session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
She said the secretariat would be backed up by a war room providing support services and monitoring legal cases, international media statements, and global strategies for tackling claims by the self-proclaimed Sulu heirs.
Azalina said the government would hold a briefing on the Sulu claim issues for government and opposition MPs next week.
She reiterated that claims by the Sulu group to enforce awards, including preliminary and final awards in various jurisdictions, lacked a solid legal basis and merit.
She said the Malaysian government would not compromise on the country’s sovereignty and security and would continue to focus on protecting national assets from threats by foreign parties.
“The Malaysian government will not stop in its efforts to protect and preserve Malaysia’s interests, immunity, and sovereignty and will continue to take the necessary measures to put a stop to the Sulu claims by using all the power, rights, and resources at its disposal,” she added. – – Bernama
– Bernama
.