Blessed Malaysia….blessed Malaysians

Blessed Malaysia….blessed Malaysians. We are so blessed and we ought to know this if we just look at our southern neighbour, Indonesia. Their livestock industry is vibrant especially the poultry industry despite Avian Influenza is endemic in the country. An interesting article from World Poultry highlighted the scarcity of day old chicks during the fasting month of Ramadan and the country is bracing for a surge in live and processed chicken prices. It is expected, according to the Head of the Broiler Association as in response to supply & demand situation. Indonesia has in its populace 95% celebrating Hari Raya Puasa which works out to no less than 280 million Muslims. Malaysia on the other hand has a majority Muslim population of no less than 16 million people celebrating the festive season after the challenges of the fasting month of Ramadan.

It must be noted Malaysian authorities ‘influcnce’ supply & demand of poultry products during major festive celebrations like Hari Raya Puasa, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Gawai, Hari Keamatan and Christmas. The Indonesian authorities on the other hand always take the stand to clamp tight on any poultry product imports- legally or illegally for the sole reason to encourage the industry to thrive. Simply putting into the another word, the Indonesia people are on their own and they must let supply & demand finds its level. If the Indonesian people cannot afford the good protein source, then they have to eat less or forego them altogether. Malaysian authorities on the hand are very pro-active. It is the rakyat endearing policies that endears the rakyat to the ruling Malaysian Government much to the anguish of a teether- hooked industry. Amongst some of pro-active plans the Malaysian Government never fails to embark enroute to these festivities are:

1. Routine meeting with industry to ensure there are enough day old chicks, chickens and eggs.

2. Approving foreign chicken processing plants to supply processed chickens to Peninsular Malaysia. Amongst the countries approved are Peoples’ Republic of China, Thailand etc. Import permits are issued.

3. Putting in place a ceiling price cap on chickens and eggs for a duration of time as the festive seasons approach.

The above of course is not exhaustive. It is in this respect Malaysian poultry industry must exercise sufficient caution to avoid over production resulting in financial losses. It must also be highlighted the industry has to resort to pleading with the authority to be more circumspect in allowing foreign imports. Whilst the industry has difficulty getting our neighbouring Asean nations to open their markets, Malaysia on the other hand practises the true spirit of Asean Free Trade Agreement (AFTA). Malaysian livestock industry has long, long way to go to achieve an amicable and fair two way flows of people and poultry products. Truly, as our nation opens its doors to our neighbours we expect reciprocity in the true spirit.

Still, Malaysia is a blessed nation and a blessed country to live in…..

Selamat Hari Raya Puasa to fellow Malaysian Muslims