BESUT: The government has given approval to 32 companies from three countries to bring frozen whole chicken into Malaysia in an effort to overcome the chicken supply shortage.

       Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (pic) said the countries are Thailand, China and Brazil, where exporters from those countries had to comply with all the conditions, including ensuring halal status.

       "This is to address the shortage of chicken supply in our country, and it will stop as soon as our supply stabilises. This is a temporary measure by the ministry," he said after attending the Fishermen Resettlement Project groundbreaking ceremony in Benting Lintang here on Monday (Jan 24).

       The ceremony was officiated by Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.

       Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had said in December that the government would import frozen chicken to meet demand and enable people to get supplies at lower prices than local fresh chicken.

       Following that, the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry said in a statement that approval to bring in frozen chicken would be granted for a period of three months from December to February.

       Earlier, at the groundbreaking event, it was announced that a total of 50 fishermen’s housing units, each with an area of 800sq ft comprising three bedrooms and two bathrooms, will be built.

       The RM7.6mil project, a joint venture between the Terengganu government and Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority, will commence this month, and is expected to be completed in July next year. – Bernama