KLANG, Feb 7 — The government is formulating measures to ensure Peninsular Malaysians enjoy so-called “people’s fish” at lower prices, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
He said his ministry is looking into ways to source fish such as kembung (mackerel), selar (yellowstripe scad) and sembilang (striped eel catfish) from Sabah, which are sold at lower prices than in the peninsular market, especially in Sandakan and Tawau.
He said the move is aimed not only at ensuring fish can be marketed in Peninsular Malaysia at more affordable prices, but also at boosting the Sabah fishing economy.
“I noticed earlier that some of the items sold were priced slightly on the high side, but we will look for ways to make them cheaper, especially daily food items such as fish and the like. I also saw that vegetable prices were at a moderate level.
“This will take a bit of time because we need to prepare the facilities and hold discussions with airlines and others for the (logistics),” he said when met at the Madani Semarak Ramadan event at Pasar Tani Taman Sri Andalas here today.
Mohamad said intensive discussions are also being held with the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) to realise the plan.
He added that today’s event involves 680 farmers’ markets nationwide until February 18, with the participation of 10,600 entrepreneurs and a total sales target of RM50 million.
