Deputy minister Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh said the government had taken proactive steps by providing subsidies to basic food industry players on Thursday.

“The subsidy was given to importers of raw chicken and vegetables, as well as companies that sell chicken feed and pesticides to overcome the problems facing the sector.

“God willing, when imported goods enter our country at subsidised prices, we will be able to buy them at appropriate prices.

“I would like to ask the people to be patient,” he told reporters after viewing a project under the young agropreneur programme at Bandar Satelit in Pasir Tumboh here today.

Nik Muhammad said the current increase in prices was the result of the pandemic.

“Earlier, there were allegations on social media that the price of raw chicken had reached RM20 per kg. This is untrue.

“This is a baseless allegation to put the government in a bad light when we are very concerned and have provided subsidies for basic goods, compared to other countries that cannot afford to do so,” he said.