[KUALA LUMPUR] When it comes to the prices of chickens and eggs, Malaysia’s government has intervened heavily – to the tune of billions of ringgit – over the last 18 months or so as it seeks to keep the country’s poultry supplies and prices stable.

Since February 2022, the government has committed over RM2 billion (S$580.7 million) to subsidise chicken prices. A price ceiling of RM9.40 per kilogram was also implemented for standard processed chicken.

These temporary measures were supposed to be in place until the end of June this year, with the intention to allow chicken prices to fluctuate according to market demand. However, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim agreed in June to maintain the subsidies and price control mechanism indefinitely.