Malaysia does not need emergency food stockpiling, says Ahmad Zahid
The deputy prime minister said the country has enough food supply capacity to last at least six months.
Malaysia has no reason to introduce emergency stockpiling measures, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Nov 2, citing food supply capacity sufficient to cover at least six months.
Ahmad Zahid said existing stocks were adequate and that Malaysia was not experiencing an emergency requiring people to build up reserves of basic goods. He added that the government continued its efforts to maintain food security and keep necessities available to citizens and other residents.
He made the remarks in Kuala Lumpur following the Malaysia-China Cooperation Meeting on Investment, Trade and Economic Empowerment. Reporters had asked about overseas advisories urging people to prepare supplies for potential emergencies.
At least 33 countries had reportedly issued such guidance. International media attributed the advisories to threats ranging from armed conflicts and extreme weather to power outages and cyberattacks. France and the UK were among the countries recommending household reserves sufficient for at least 72 hours, or three days.
