Budget 2023's focus on food security issues needs to be supported

The government's desire to utilise abandoned lands belonging to the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda), Felcra Berhad, the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) and agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (Mafi) with an area of 323.75 hectares for food crops is a very good policy and should be supported.

Budget 2023 as tabled by the Minister of Finance in the Dewan Rakyat on the afternoon of Oct 7, 2022 indicates that the government is deeply committed to prioritising the interests of the rakyat by planning ahead to ensure food security in the future.