THE STAR
Nothing to hide: Mat Sabu reveals name of sole Malaysian firm importing eggs from India
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.
Only 1 company is allowed to import eggs from India - Mat Sabu
(File photo) Supply of imported eggs from India.
KUALA LUMPUR: Only one company has been given permission to import eggs from India at the moment, in the government's efforts to implement intervention measures to cover the supply of the food item in the country.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, said the permission was given based on the experience of the company involved in bringing in eggs from India to Qatar to meet the needs when organizing the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
"The issue of lack of supply of eggs in the local market occurs when there is a decrease in production detected from October to December 2022, which production cannot meet the needs in the country.
"As a short-term intervention measure to ensure sufficient supply of eggs in the country, the ministry allows the importation of eggs from India, the 'Fresh White Shell Egg' type, weighing between 50 to 55 grams which can be graded as Grade D in Malaysia or medium in India, " he said in an oral answer published on the Parliament's website
He answered a question from Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan (PN-Tasek Gelugor) who asked the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security to state the amount of chicken egg exports and why the government imports eggs from India and which companies have obtained import permits (AP) to import eggs.
Commenting further, Mohamad said that with the company's ability to deliver eggs in a short time, the ministry agreed to grant special import approval for a period of six months from December 2022.
However, he explained, strict biosecurity controls are imposed where every consignment has to undergo a 'Hold Test Release' (HTR) test at the entrance to ensure that the imported eggs are free from the pathogens Bird Flu (HPAI), Newcastle Disease (ND) and Salmonella.
"The policy of allowing the importation of eggs is temporary to meet the lack of egg supply in the country.
"The development of the local egg industry is the main focus of the ministry to ensure that the industry continues to be resilient and sustainable in supplying eggs to the population and increasing the country's income through the export of eggs abroad," he said.
Commenting further, Mohamad said, based on domestic egg production records, 13.4 billion eggs were produced in 2018 and 10.9 billion in 2019.
He informed that from 2020, total domestic egg production will increase to 12.9 billion eggs, followed by 13.6 billion eggs in 2021.
"However, there is a slight decrease in production in 2022 to 13.3 billion eggs. Until February 2023, 2.4 billion eggs are produced. On average, Malaysia needs 11.6 billion eggs per year for domestic needs with an average consumption rate of 968 million eggs per month.
"Therefore, this production record clearly shows that egg production is sufficient for domestic needs every year and there is a surplus that allows Malaysia to export eggs abroad," he said.
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