Boost Agricultural Production A.S.A.P

Today Malaysia announced the increase in fuel prices, lifting their price ceiling in the move to reduce government subsidy. It is quite shocking actually. I didn’t expect the price increase would be ‘that’ much. (Note: for a very interesting thought about this by Dr Mahathir, click here).

The effect of this will not only be felt in Malaysia, but Brunei too. Malaysia is one of Brunei’s main trading partners. 20 percent of Brunei’s total import comes from Malaysia. About 40 percent of Brunei’s total food import comes from Malaysia. Malaysia is Brunei’s main source of food supply. When Malaysia’s fuel prices rise, we should expect their prices of all other goods will also go up. Naturally, we will also import their inflation. And that is bad news to our consumers.

All of the events that take place around the world including the current world’s food crisis cannot and should not be taken lightly.

Therefore, I think it is high time Brunei seriously thinks about its food production. Enough talk (actually I don’t hear any talk at all since HM’s titah during the Leg Co), act. Fast. Make it Brunei’s ‘emergency’ priority agenda. Set up an ‘agricultural’ fund if we must. At times like this, what the government should do in fact is to attract people to develop the agricultural industry. Call it a fast-track strategy or whatever. Get as many Bruneians or even non-Bruneians to produce food in our country. The government cannot afford to be choosy. Cut down those red tapes! (I tell you, somebody I know tried applying for some land to be developed 2 years ago. Until today, he has not heard from the Agriculture Department). Somebody please do something!

We shouldn’t think that all the events happening around us will pass on any time soon. It could go on and on. We really should use it as a catalyst to achieve our (long overdue) national food security objective. Increasing agricultural production should be the long-term solution for Brunei. We really cannot afford to just sit and wait and do nothing. Because whether you like it or not, for a country that has a high dependence on food import, these events affect us. High food price will increase the cost of living. Well, I guess I’ll leave you to your imagination to picture the effects of that.

Salaam.