Malaysia: Government eyeing regional rice sources amid India-Pakistan tensions

The government has not ruled out the possibility of increasing rice imports from other countries in the region following the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the issue is expected to affect Malaysia’s imported rice supply. “Yes (supply could be affected), because these two countries (account for) about 38% (of our imported rice). I hope and am confident that both sides do not want war”. “However, we will work with countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia to ensure sufficient rice supply in the country,” he told a press conference after the opening of the Perak Farmers Organisation’s Certified Padi Seed Production Centre here on Tuesday (May 6). Earlier, Perak Ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah graced and officiated the ceremony. Tensions between India and Pakistan spiked following a terror attack in Kashmir on April 22, which claimed 26 lives. In another development, Mohamad was confident that ...