Malaysia Among Best Asean Country In Food Security - Minister Shabery

KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ahmad Shabery Cheek said Malaysia is among the best ASEAN country in food security. "Malaysia is the best place in terms of food availability as all kinds of food can be found here. We import what is lacking such as meat and milk. "We also emphasised on food safety, hygiene and quality in terms of packaging or handling," he told reporters at parliament lobby on Tuesday. Malaysia finished 35 out of 113 countries in the rating by the Food And Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The United Nations (UN) agency ranked Thailand at 51, Vietnam at 57 and Indonesia at 71. Ahmad Shabery said his ministry was working with universities and food institutes to enhance food security in the country. Asked whether they were ready to promote sugar cane cultivation to reduce dependence on imported sugar, he said it was not profitable and not cost effective. --BERNAMA