Kota Kinabalu, Sunday, 02 April 2023
Since becoming the deputy minister of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in 2022, Chan Foong Hin has issued various statements pledging to solve the problem of rising pork prices, but nothing solid yet, said Gee Tien Siong.
“It has been nearly half a year so far, where we can see only a ‘one-man task force’ was established, and the members were not even determined,” said Gee, vice president of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).
He pointed out before the Lunar New Year in 2023, the ministry approved pork imports to meet market demand, but it was unable to bring down the price of pork.
“Recently, Chan distributed some RM4 million aid fund approved by the previous government to 26 pig farmers in Malacca who were affected by swine flu; however, pig farmers in Sabah who faced the same problem did not get any.
Gee said as a Member of Parliament representing Sabah cum deputy minister, Chan must fight for welfare and assistance for Sabah farmers within the federal government, so that Sabah’s food security can be guaranteed.
“If farmers in Sabah do not receive assistance, they will lose market competitiveness and their farms may be shutted down.