In a Facebook post, Sim Tze Tzin said the price of cabbage had dropped from RM4 per kg to RM1.80 per kg despite the cost of production averaging out to RM1.60 per kg.

While the low prices would be welcomed by consumers, local farmers would be affected, he said.

He also spoke of rumours that entrepreneurs from mainland China had opened a company in Malaysia to directly import produce from the republic.

He said these entrepreneurs had huge amounts of capital, were able to control the import supply chain, and were slowly taking over the vegetable sector in Malaysia.

“If this situation persists, local farmers will be forced to retire from the industry as they continue to suffer losses.

“And this will affect the country’s food security,” he said.

Sim, who earlier met a group of farmers from Cameron Highlands to hear their complaints, urged the government to review the “rampant” import of vegetables.

He also called on the agriculture and food security ministry as well as the related departments to resolve the issue.

“Malaysia should not be too dependent on imports, and the country should develop its own vegetable industry,” he said.