KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that the government’s decision to float the price of chicken and eggs in the market aims to ensure that only eligible citizens, not foreigners or wealthy groups, benefit from the provided subsidies. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mentioned that the government has allocated RM3.7 billion in subsidies for chicken and eggs since 2022. However, around 3.5 million foreigners and 10% of the wealthy population of the country have also enjoyed these subsidies. The Prime Minister expressed that the market price being below the ceiling price, along with cheaper chicken and eggs in Thailand, supports the need to float prices. He added that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has a stockpile of 30% of chicken and eggs, and instructed the minister to buy from Thailand if necessary. He addressed a question from Datuk Rosol Wahid seeking assurance that floating the prices will not burden people already facing a high cost of living. The Prime Minister clarified that the decision was made after considering factors such as subsidy savings and the capacity of relevant authorities. The Agriculture and Food Security Minister is expected to provide more details soon. – Bernama
