KUALA LUMPUR: The price of chicken is dependent on factors that are out of the government's control, says Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

       Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Nov 11), the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister said that almost all of the chicken feed in Malaysia is imported and the cost is dependent on climate and supply, which includes high demand from other nations like China.

       Nanta said this in response to a question from Rusnah Aluai (PH-Tangga Batu), who asked if it was possible to stabilise chicken prices to RM5.99 per kg, the price fixed during the Pakatan Harapan government.

       To this, Nanta said that his Ministry has set up special squads to go to the ground to investigate complaints of higher chicken prices.

       He also said that the government is mulling a proposal to provide soft loans to businesses affected by higher operating costs as a means to stabilise chicken prices.

       In September, Nanta said that the price of chicken may be controlled if prices at every level of the distribution chain continue to face unreasonable increases.

       The average price of standard chicken (cleaned) at the national level was RM8.83/kg and this has risen gradually since then.

       Earlier, this explanation was interrupted when he was accused of merely giving “excuses” by Khalid Samad (PH-Shah Alam).

       "Under the Pakatan Harapan administration, these people were the ones making the most noise yet now they are giving so many excuses,” Khalid said as he stood up to interject.

       Nanta then said he would not proceed with his explanation if there were continued interruptions.

       “Okay, if you don’t want to listen, I’ll stop here. Why ask if you don’t want an explanation?” Nanta said.

       Khalid then said that when Nanta and his colleagues were the Opposition, they took every opportunity to "whack" the Pakatan administration.

       Nanta reminded Khalid that he was merely replying to Rusnah's question.

       “YB Tangga Batu asked and I am giving an explanation. What is wrong? If you’re not satisfied with the explanation, it’s alright. If that’s the case, I’ll stop here then,” he added before sitting down to end his reply.

       Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hadnon then intervened and ordered the two men to stop their argument to allow Nanta to proceed with his answer.