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Malaysia's army camps to grow vegetables amid rising prices: Hishammuddin

Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Turkey on 19 June 2021. (PHOTO: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Turkey on 19 June 2021. (PHOTO: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Malaysia's defence ministry is looking to set up vegetable gardens in army camps throughout the country amid rising prices and a need to ensure food sustainability.

The Syed Sirajuddin Camp in Gemas in Negeri Sembilan has been selected to start the project, according to national news agency Bernama.

“Farming activities have already begun. I have just seen it...so in whatever situation, including rising prices, we are self sufficient. At least our personnel can focus on their duties of security and defence," said Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

“I want a report later and if possible, it can be expanded to all camps and all zones,” he added.

In an interview with CNBC last month, Malaysian Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said rising prices are the "biggest headwind" facing the country, amid geopolitical tensions and China's supply chain disruptions.

Malaysia's overall inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, was 2.3 per cent in April on a yearly basis, but food inflation for the month was higher at 4.1 per cent, with almost 90 per cent of food items recording increases.