M'SIA ALLOWS IMPORT OF PROCESSED CHICKEN TO MEET ANTICIPATED RAYA DEMAND

JELI (Malaysia), Sept 19 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government is, for the first time, allowing the import of processed chicken to meet the anticipated higher demand during Hari Raya Aidilfitri early next month.

Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed said
Friday the 20 companies given permits to import processed chicken would be able
to meet the anticipated 20 per cent increase in demand during that time.


"This is the first time we are allowing processed chicken to be imported.
Previously, the government only allowed the import of chicken parts. This is to
ensure that there is adequate supply for the festive season," he told reporters.


Mustapa said the government was also importing 300,000 coconuts from
Indonesia and increasing the import of cabbage from Thailand, also to meet
higher demand during the festive period.

Earlier, he handed over tithes and donations from individuals and agencies
to 1,800 single mothers, the poor and the aged in his parliamentary constituency
of Jeli to enable them celebrate Aidilfitri.

Jeli is a town and territory in east Kelantan-state, Malaysia

-- BERNAMA