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Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Food Security Act needed to fix crisis loopholes

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has no shortage of food-related policies, yet an expert opined that the absence of a single, legally binding framework continues to leave the country exposed during emergencies — a concern that is becoming harder to ignore as climate disruptions and global supply tensions intensify The push for a National Food Security Act by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu comes amid growing concerns over El Nino-driven droughts, flooding and global food supply disruptions. Universiti Putra Malaysia agricultural economist Prof Datuk Dr Mad Nasir Shamsudin said Malaysia’s food governance architecture is currently spread across multiple policies and agencies, but lacks statutory coordination. “Malaysia’s food security strategy is primarily driven by the National Food Security Policy 2030 and the National Agrofood Policy 2021–2030. “Thus, Malaysia does not lack food policies. But the main issue is it lacks a legally binding framework that integrates and coordinates them,” he told theSun. He said responsibilities are currently distributed across multiple ministries, including the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, Health Ministry, Finance

their operations during difficult periods. “Supply chain disruptions that consumers experience as higher food prices translate, for farmers, into reduced production, crop losses, livestock mortality or, in the case of perishable products, an inability to access markets when transport and logistics networks are disrupted.” He added that any future Act should adopt a systemic rather than siloed approach. “A National Food Security Act should not focus on a single intervention because food security is a systemic issue,” he said. He recommended prioritising irrigation and water management, followed by supply chain reform, technology adoption and targeted subsidies. “The immediate priority should be irrigation and water management, as climate-related droughts and floods directly affect agricultural production. “This should be followed by supply chain reform to reduce post harvest losses, improve logistics and ensure food reaches consumers efficiently. “Technology adoption should also be promoted to enhance productivity and climate resilience, particularly through precision agriculture and early warning systems. “Subsidies should be more targeted and outcome-based, supporting long-term resilience rather than short-term dependency.” He added that, together, these measures would strengthen Malaysia’s ability to withstand climate shocks, supply disruptions and future food security challenges. – By HARITH KAMAL costs, increase poultry production expenses, and ultimately contribute to higher food prices for consumers.” On response capacity, Mad Nasir said Malaysia can manage short-term disruptions through buffer stocks and alternative sourcing, but structural weaknesses become more apparent during prolonged crises. “If a major food-exporting country imposes sudden export restrictions, Malaysia can respond relatively quickly in the initial stages. “However, the effectiveness depends on the availability of alternative suppliers and the duration of the disruption.” He stressed that a meaningful Act must go beyond policy statements. “It should establish a comprehensive governance framework, mandate inter-agency coordination and data sharing, and provide legal authority for early warning systems, strategic reserves and emergency response mechanisms.”

and animal feed inputs. “Structural dependency is real and will not be resolved by technology alone,” he said. He noted that limited arable land, ageing farmers and shrinking agricultural labour pools restrict expansion in domestic production. “Realistically, the goal should not be self-sufficiency but strategic sufficiency,” he said, adding that Malaysia should focus on improving domestic output for key staples while diversifying import sources and strengthening buffer stocks. He said labour shortages remain the most immediate constraint, particularly due to reliance on foreign workers and low youth participation in farming. “Too few local young people are entering farming to offset the loss of older farmers leaving the industry.” Other bottlenecks include fragmented land holdings, rising input costs and slow technology adoption, he added. “Farmers operating near subsistence margins do not adopt technology because the risk-return profile does not justify it.” Abdul Rahman said policy responses must prioritise stabilising farmers’ economic conditions before pushing for modernisation. During climate disruptions or supply shortages, farmers face cash flow crises, with limited financial buffers to absorb shocks. “Crop failures, declining yields, rising input costs, and disruptions to farm operations can rapidly erode household income and threaten livelihoods. “Many farmers have limited financial reserves and may rely on personal savings, family support, or informal sources of credit to sustain underscored by Malaysia’s exposure to global food shocks, with the country remaining a price taker for several key commodities. “Malaysia imports large volumes of rice, wheat, beef, dairy products and animal feed ingredients such as corn and soybean meal, limiting its influence over global pricing. “Malaysia is not completely at the mercy of external suppliers, but for several key food commodities, it is largely a price taker rather than a price maker.” He warned that global shocks such as El Nino events and geopolitical tensions could significantly disrupt feed supply chains, pushing up production costs and consumer prices. “The country imports virtually all of its grain corn requirements and a substantial proportion of its soybean meal needs, which are key ingredients in livestock and poultry feed. “Consequently, this will raise feed

o Current policy fragmentation leaves nation exposed during emergencies, warns economist

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s food production system is increasingly exposed to climate volatility, labour shortages and structural constraints that limit the country’s ability to achieve meaningful self-sufficiency, according to an agrotechnology expert. Universiti Teknologi Mara Sarawak Plantation and Agrotechnology Faculty associate professor Dr Abdul Rahman Saili said rice-growing areas, including those under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority and the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority, remain highly vulnerable to rainfall variability, making them particularly sensitive to El Nino and La Nina cycles. “Malaysia’s food production system is genuinely exposed,” he said, pointing to how dry spells reduce irrigation supply while excessive rainfall can destroy entire planting cycles. “El Nino-driven dry spells reduce water availability for irrigation, while La Nina and intensified monsoons cause flooding that destroys standing crops,” he said. Abdul Rahman added that climate change is also accelerating pest cycles and reducing yield stability, particularly for vegetables, which are highly sensitive to short term disruptions. “A single prolonged flood event can wipe out an entire planting cycle within days,” he said. He said structural constraints mean Malaysia is unlikely to achieve full self-sufficiency in food production, regardless of technological improvements. “Malaysia imports roughly 30 35% of its rice requirements, and remains heavily dependent on imports for wheat, dairy products He added that repeated global shocks from pandemics, wars and climate events have elevated food security into a national security concern. “Food security should increasingly be treated as a national security issue alongside defence and energy security. “Disruptions in food supply can threaten economic stability, social cohesion, public welfare and political stability, as seen during the Covid-19 pandemic, export restrictions on staple foods, geopolitical conflicts and climate-related shocks,” he said. Food security, he added, should also be viewed alongside water security as a core pillar of national resilience. The urgency of reform, he said, is

Ministry, state authorities and disaster management agencies. “In the event of disruptions such as pandemics, export bans, extreme weather events or supply chain shocks, coordination can be slow because no single law mandates how these agencies must act collectively.” Mad Nasir added that the current system relies heavily on administrative mechanisms rather than legal obligations, particularly in data sharing and crisis response. “There is no statutory requirement for agencies to collect, integrate and share food security intelligence, climate data, production forecasts, import risks or stock levels.” He said a proposed Act would formalise coordination and strengthen crisis preparedness.

Climate and labour risks threaten Malaysia’s food output

MyKad-based diesel subsidy to cut 1bil litres in leakages: Minister The use of MyKad ensures only eligible Malaysian citizens receive subsidised diesel, while non-citizens must pay the market price. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

KOTA KINABALU: The targeted diesel subsidy programme under Budi Madani, which uses MyKad for verification, is expected to reduce fuel leakages by up to one billion litres annually, resulting in lower subsidy expenditure and a more stable domestic fuel supply. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said subsidy leakages had previously been prevalent in the diesel sector because MyKad-based verification was not as widely enforced as it was for RON 95 petrol. He said the use of MyKad ensures only eligible Malaysians receive subsidised diesel, while non-citizens must pay the market price. “We estimate that leakages can be reduced by one billion litres of diesel a year. This will not only curb improper subsidy payments but also help ensure a stable fuel supply in the country,” he said at a media briefing on the targeted diesel subsidy reform here yesterday. Amir Hamzah said the diesel

subsidy mechanism would mirror the targeted RON 95 subsidy model to be implemented nationwide. On the registration process, he said eligible recipients of the basic subsidy would not be required to register, as eligibility would be determined automatically through existing government databases. However, individuals seeking an additional quota of 100 litres per month under the Budi Diesel programme must apply through the designated online portal or seek assistance at Inland Revenue Board offices. Amir Hamzah also expressed confidence the use of MyKad would not pose difficulties, including in rural areas, as a similar mechanism has already been successfully implemented through the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) programme. The experience gained through Sara has shown that MyKad can be effectively used as a verification and redemption tool, he said. – Bernama