Malaysia's freshest news, trending stories and local buzz.
Faisal Iswardi Ismail, formerly FAMA's deputy director-general for food security and operations, has been promoted to director-general. Agriculture Minister Mohamad Sabu presented the appointment letter on August 5.
Indonesia and Thailand have adopted a strategic partnership roadmap targeting US$20 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. The agreement, signed during Thai PM Anutin's first official visit to Indonesia in 15 years, includes expanded cooperation on food security, energy, and digital economy.
Malaysia's Social Innovation Programme has reached more than 6,700 community members through 67 projects worth RM13.97 million since 2021, with aquaponics farming and renewable energy emerging as key focus areas.
Property developer Central Spectrum has committed RM10,000 to assist vulnerable households in Pulau Indah, Klang, through a food bank voucher programme distributed via four local mosques.
The inaugural Road to MAHA Labuan 2026 has exceeded targets, drawing 30,837 visitors and generating nearly RM800,000 in sales within its first two days, demonstrating strong public interest in agriculture and agro-entrepreneurship.
Agriculture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu has urged Malaysia to prioritise food security as a strategic necessity, citing ongoing geopolitical tensions and climate impacts. The government is preparing MAHA 2026 to showcase agricultural modernisation.
Brunei's Foreign Minister Prince Abdul Mateen has called for enhanced regional cooperation on food and energy security during major Asean meetings in Manila, emphasizing the need for strategic reserves and coordinated responses to supply chain disruptions.
Employment among agricultural TVET graduates has climbed to 76 per cent in 2024, a significant rise from 61 per cent six years earlier, yet the sector remains below the broader TVET employment benchmark.
The Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam Foundation has unveiled an ambitious Food Bank initiative targeting 2,000 disadvantaged households across Melaka, distributing monthly food parcels over twelve months through a phased rollout beginning with 200 families.
Malaysia's Finance Ministry clarified that savings from the targeted RON95 petrol subsidy are being channelled into expanded social protection programmes, food security initiatives, and business support schemes rather than retained as fiscal surplus.
Malaysia's Deputy Agriculture Minister has cautioned durian exporters against adopting unapproved methods for the Chinese market, emphasising that compliance with bilateral protocols is essential to safeguard nearly RM900 million in annual export revenues.
Malaysia's Agriculture Ministry has launched a regularisation programme enabling unlicensed fishermen to apply for fishing licences, addressing compliance issues while improving access to government support schemes.
Malaysia is implementing comprehensive measures to mitigate El Niño's effects on agriculture, including smart irrigation technology, drought-resistant rice varieties, and financial aid for affected farmers totaling tens of millions of ringgit.
Malaysia's government is actively working to resolve longstanding trade barriers with Thailand affecting shrimp exports and livestock products. The discussions, held at a high-level food security council meeting, highlight regional agricultural tensions.
Parliament will focus on government preparedness for El Niño conditions, investigate a recent hand grenade explosion during armed forces training, and examine strategies to strengthen food security and public health initiatives.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to implement immediate safeguards protecting Malaysia's food supply chain against an impending Super El Niño event.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to urgently prepare measures to counter the anticipated Super El Niño phenomenon arriving in November, safeguarding Malaysia's food production and farming livelihoods.
Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim have pledged to expand cooperation in food security, energy, and regional stability during an inaugural state visit.
Malaysia's parliament has passed the Control of Padi and Rice (Amendment) Bill 2026, significantly increasing financial penalties for rice industry violations to protect domestic food security and farmer livelihoods.
Indonesia's state logistics agency Bulog is negotiating rice export deals with Malaysia and Singapore, with discussions focused on pricing and delivery terms for proposed shipments totalling over 200,000 tonnes.
Malaysia maintains adequate rice supplies with a six-month buffer stock, Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir announced. The government has pledged to keep Local White Rice prices unchanged despite global economic pressures.
Malaysia's livestock and dairy sectors are achieving higher self-sufficiency levels through government incentive schemes, with beef production rising to 18.4% and milk output increasing significantly in 2025.
Malaysia's Dewan Rakyat will debate UN Security Council reform and the government's preparedness for a projected food supply crisis, alongside questions on military supply chains and green hydrogen development.
Malaysia's parliament advanced two competition bills and tabled rice industry regulation reforms during its third sitting week, while debating press freedom standards, MSME financing, and addressing a RM51.4 billion 1MDB liability burden.
Malaysia and Thailand have formalized agricultural cooperation through a new memorandum of understanding, addressing longstanding trade barriers in seafood while pursuing a US$30 billion bilateral trade target.
Malaysia and Thailand have settled outstanding fisheries disputes and agreed to activate an agricultural cooperation framework within seven days, with Prime Ministers Anwar Ibrahim and Anutin Charnvirakul witnessing the accord in Putrajaya.
Malaysia has kept food prices stable despite Middle East conflict disrupting global supply chains by boosting agricultural subsidies, increasing diesel support to RM400 monthly, and doubling ploughing incentives. The strategy combines immediate relief with longer-term productivity improvements.
Malaysia has tabled legislation to amend its rice and padi control framework, granting authorities stronger price-setting powers and imposing substantially higher financial penalties on violators, addressing supply chain compliance.
Malaysia's eCOSS mobile application has successfully reduced unauthorised access to subsidised one-kilogramme cooking oil packets, with 5.26 million registrations and minimal complaints recorded.
Malaysia is negotiating with Thailand and China's customs authority to create a land-based durian export corridor, potentially lowering shipping costs and opening access to smaller Chinese cities amid current oversupply.
Indonesia confronts an intensifying drought crisis as El Niño pushes the dry season to extreme levels. Thousands of households lack clean water, prompting emergency tanker distribution across multiple provinces and raising concerns about food security.
Malaysia's government is pursuing an ambitious three-decade strategy to halve its food imports by 2050, targeting 15% reduction by 2030 and 30% by 2040, aimed at addressing the country's RM80 billion annual import expenditure.
Malaysia's Agricultural Research Institute aims to cut onion import costs by RM300 million within six years through homegrown seed varieties, addressing decades of total dependence on Indian suppliers.