Foul!

As published in Malay Mail today   By Haresh Deol haresh@mmail.com.my PETALING JAYA — The prolonged heatwave is taking a toll on farmers as they face low yields compounded by water shortage.   The situation may force the government to import agricultural produce as demand is expected to surge ahead of Ramadan, which will be observed in June, and the Hari Raya celebrations the following month.   “Right now, most of the produce are from the earlier stock, so the prices are still ok. My worry is the new stock, especially in the next month or two,” said Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.   “Farmers are not producing as much as they want and this is disrupting supply. Naturally, when demand is high and the supply is low, prices will increase.”   He said his ministry is in the midst of compiling information regarding the output of local farmers to see if they are able to meet the demand of traders and consumers, especi...

Sadly, consumerism in this country is taken very lightly. Only a handful of us are willing to speak up against retailers who see no harm in selling substandard foodstuff. The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry can aid by conducting regular inspections and ensure retailers — from sundry shops to hypermarkets — sell quality items. But it is us, as consumers, who have the ultimate say. We need to take charge of what we put in our stomach and in our households. The quality of food sold should not be taken for granted. Nevertheless, many tend to treat such matters lightly. After all, it is not as sensational as cows and condominiums or a fishy multi-million ringgit tuna project that failed. It is the unscrupulous sellers who will have the last laugh for we are the suckers who will continue to fork out money for low quality food. Read more in Haresh Says today. HD says : Stand up against those who sell substandard food items.