PUTRAJAYA: The issue of foreigners dominating the country's vegetable supply chain requires comprehensive action from all sides, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution.
He said the issue has been ongoing for so long and involves many parties, including state governments and local authorities.
"I agree that it is time for comprehensive action involving all regulatory agencies to address this matter.
"I have spoken with the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry and have had long engagements with the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry because this is not a new matter, not just yesterday or only a year since the Madani government took over," he said at a press conference today.
Saifuddin said the issue should be addressed rather than resorting to the blame game.
Earlier today, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry said they can only take action against foreigners who are dominating the vegetable industry through the Pesticides Act 1974.
Agriculture Department director-general Datuk Nor Sam Alwi said the ministry, through his department, does not enforce any laws regarding trespassing on land for agricultural activities by foreigners or locals.
He said in a statement that enforcement action could only be taken under the Pesticides Act 1974, which is for the control of importation, manufacturing of pesticides, their registration and permits and enforcement.
On March 17, Berita Harian reported that foreign immigrants from Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Rohingya ethnic groups were alleged to be involved in building networks from the plantation stage to sales in several major wholesale markets in Peninsular Malaysia.
Malaysian Vegetable Growers Federation chairman Lim Ser Kwee said that due to the control of foreign workers, the income of more than 2,000 of their members has been affected.
He said the activities of foreign workers occur mainly in the Peninsula, with the highest incidence in Selangor, Johor, Melaka, Pulau Pinang, and Pahang, especially in Cameron Highlands.
Most of the vegetable farm areas controlled by foreign workers are located in remote areas, especially in oil palm plantations and encroached forests.
Following this report, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the issue of foreign workers' control in the vegetable supply chain needs to be addressed by the Home Ministry and the Human Resources Ministry.
He said that the relevant laws fall under the jurisdiction of both ministries and any efforts to address the issue should be referred to the two relevant ministries.