Malaysia ranks among best in terms of global food security: Agriculture Minister

MELISSA DARLYNE CHOW New Straits Times 14 Mar 17;

KUALA LUMPUR: The Global Food Security Index 2016 has revealed that Malaysia is ahead of other Asean nations in terms of food security, placing 35th out of 113 countries worldwide.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said that countries which are agriculturally advanced, such as Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam, rank lower than Malaysia in the report.

Ahmad Shabery (BN-Kemaman) said this is because Malaysia is capable of producing its own food and that the food security is assured.

"Malaysia could be seen as one of the better countries due to our food security regime, and also our good agricultural practices.

"I know Singapore is high up (at third place). But we have to commend ourselves.

"When compared to other Asean countries, people say Thailand is good, but in terms of our food security, based on the ranking in the index, Malaysia is one of the best countries.

"We still have room to improve ourselves (however)," he said at the Dewan Rakyat today.

Ahmad Shabery was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Mohamad Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) on what Malaysia could do to improve its ranking in the index, which is much lower than third-ranking Singapore’s.