MANJUNG: Supermarkets are still able to meet the demand for chicken, says Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee.

       The Agriculture and Food Industries Minister said this was based on checks conducted about 10 days ago.

       “Our checks showed that supermarkets could provide between 1.8 million and two million chickens a day. The ministry will ensure that food supply is enough,” he told reporters after visiting the Dinding Poultry Development Centre at Segari here yesterday.

       He also said the Cabinet had met and listed several short-term and long-term measures that would enable all related industry players to have stable production.

       Kiandee said the chicken price was based on several factors, including the feed.

       “Right now, we have set the ceiling price at RM8.90 per kg as the remaining cost is being borne by subsidy. If we leave it to the market price, it can go up to between RM10 and RM11 per kg,” he said.

       On the subsidy for chicken farmers, Kiandee said they could still apply for it after the deadline on June 5.

       “I want to encourage all the industry players to come forward and apply for the allocated subsidy.

       “Before this, they may need several levels of approvals but now we have shortened the procedure – the state government may give them approval and we will conduct a final check later,” he said.

       He added that so far, only RM71mil worth of subsidy had been paid out from the total RM729.43mil allocated under the Keluarga Malaysia Price Control Scheme since Feb 5, in line with setting the ceiling price of standard chicken at RM8.90 per kg.

       In Gopeng, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad urged chicken sellers not to hoard the birds and sell them at a higher price.

       He said it was dangerous to do so as it would adversely affect the people and the food industry.

       “I am not saying that the practice is currently happening.

       “But we used to have an anti-hoarding campaign and we are aware that this is possible,” he said at a press conference after attending the State Agriculture Development Corporation Hari Raya open house at the Treasure at Herb Garden here yesterday.

       “Traders know that since demand is high, some buyers will not mind paying more.

       “This can be very dangerous as only the rich can afford chicken then,” he said.

       Consumers have complained of a chicken shortage in the country.

       Following that, the government has banned the export of chickens starting today while allowing import of the birds to ensure there is sufficient supply in the market.

       Saarani assured the people that there was ample stock in the state.

       “There are no issues for now, unless people are hoarding chickens to be sold at a higher price,” he added.