OIL PRICE IMPACT: KPKM AWAITS ADVICE OF MOF, GOVT ON PROVIDING VEGETABLE SEED AID

HULU LANGAT, March 15 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) will seek the views and advice of the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Ministry of Economy to devise a specific strategy to address the impact of rising global oil prices on the country's food sector.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said that although the country's food import logistics routes are not directly affected by the current conflict in the Middle East, the uncertainty of world oil prices is expected to still have an impact on the chain in the coming months.

"...the oil price problem and its implications will not have an impact now, possibly in the coming months. We will listen to the advice and views of the Ministry of Finance and Economy in formulating a strategy at that time," he told reporters when met at the Langek Kacau Dodol MADANI 101 Kawah programme at Padang Stadium Mini Pekan Batu 14, here last night.

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Earlier, Mohamad said KPKM would re-analyse the country's food supply stock after May, following geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

According to him, currently the supply of basic food such as rice, chicken and vegetables is at an adequate level at least until May, and the people are advised not to panic buy.

Meanwhile, in facing any possible chain of economic effects, Mohamad said the government would try to channel aid with plant seeds to support the people's self-sufficiency practices.

"This is so that we can be self-sufficient, and if possible also help other friends. This is not a panic situation, just as a normal practice so that the existing flower plants can be changed to vegetable plants.

"That is if the situation happens to help in a small way as it was also implemented in the 'Green Book' during the time of the late Tun Abdul Razak, he said.

-- BERNAMA