AGRICULTURE and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu confirmed that the sole Malaysian company importing eggs from India is J&E Advance Tech Sdn Bhd.
He said details on the company will be revealed by the government “soon”.
“The company is J&E, check and see who’s in there and who’s their chairman. I’m not hiding anything,” he said in winding up debate on Budget 2023 involving his ministry at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Mohamad was responding to a supplementary question by Wan Saiful Wan Jan (PN-Tasek Gelugor), who asked if the government was hiding the name of the sole company importing eggs from India.
Recently, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) was issued two letters of demand from a company for allegedly sowing public confusion over his statement on imported and local eggs.
He had previously said he was unfazed by the lawsuits and will not stop making his voice heard on behalf of the Malaysian people.
Earlier, Dr Wee had asked whether any imported eggs were rejected by the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department.
“Whether or not I’m sued, it’s not an issue because I want the government to resolve this issue,” he said.
Mohamad would not say whether any imported eggs were rejected, but added that the price of chicken and eggs can be reduced if grain and corn, which are used as chickenfeed, can be produced here.
“If the price of corn can be reduced, chicken and egg prices will recover. We want farmers to make money and not burden Malaysians with increasing prices,” he added.
Dr Wee had previously warned that the government would face criticisms if the chicken and egg shortage was not resolved as Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri were drawing near.
Currently, imported eggs from India are sold at 50 sen each and local eggs at 41sen.
Dr Wee also said many local egg farmers are suffering losses as production costs are higher than the controlled prices.
Mohamad had previously said the government was providing a 10 sen subsidy for each egg until June.
