A WAR of words over the high price of chicken broke out in Dewan Rakyat.

       The heated exchange happened when Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi was explaining the reasons behind the high cost of chicken and was then accused of giving “excuses” by Khalid Samad (PH-Shah Alam).

       “Previously, 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 in Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

       Nanta, annoyed at Khalid’s outburst, said he would not proceed with his explanation if there was continued interruption.

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

       Khalid retorted, saying that when Nanta and his colleagues were previously in the Opposition, they took every opportunity to “whack” the then Pakatan administration.

       Nanta reminded Khalid that he was merely replying to the question of high chicken prices raised by Rusnah Aluai (PH-Tangga Batu).

       “YB Tangga Batu asked and I am giving an explanation. What is wrong? If you’re not satisfied with the explanation, it’s all right. 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 intervened and ordered the two men to stop the argument and allow Nanta to proceed with his answer.

       Earlier, Rusnah asked if it was possible to stabilise the chicken price to RM5.99 per kg as was done during Pakatan’s administration, or whether there were cheaper protein alternatives for the rakyat.

       Nanta explained that certain price factors were beyond the government’s control.

       He said this was because almost 100% of the chicken feed was imported.

       The cost, he added, depended on other factors such as climate and supply, due to high demand from China.

       He said his ministry has set up special squads to investigate complaints of higher chicken prices.

       He also said the government is mulling a proposal to provide soft loans to businesses affected by higher operating cost in order to stabilise chicken price.

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

       In September this year, the national average standard chicken (cleaned) price was RM8.83 per kg, with the price steadily rising.