AGRICULTURE and Agro-based Industry Ministry (MOA) FAQ on Movement Control Order:
1. Will the MOA be operating as usual?
- As a measure to curb the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak and in line with the movement control order, all MOA opersonnel will work from home. Any questions regarding the ministry’s programmes/activities can be addressed by email or contacting the Covid-19 Crisis Operations Room Monitoring hotline at:
Telephone: 03-8870 1307
Fax: 03-8888 6020
Secretariat: Administrative Division
Email: bilikgerakan@moa.gov.my
Whatsapp: 017-855 5367 (Rahman@Abdul Rahman Yusof) and 017-450 7531 (Yeoh Yuan Xiang)
2. Are premises under MOA open to the public?
-All headquarters/departments/agencies under MOA such as FAMA and the National Botanical Garden are temporarily closed from March 18 until further notice.
3. Will MOA’s programmes involving mass gatherings such as ‘Jelajah Agropreneur Muda 2020’ proceed?
- All programmes under MOA that involve large crowds will be postponed until further notice.
4. Will the Covid-19 virus also attack plants?
- No. Covid-19 is a respiratory virus that can only cause harm to humans. It can cause respiratory distress and weaken the immune system.
5. Will imported food supply be affected due to the outbreak?
- To date, the supply / production of imported food items such as meat, milk, certain types of vegetables and fruits from exporting countries is still consistent. It is only possible that Covid-19 may have an impact on the global trade and logistics sector.
6. Can Covid-19 virus be transmitted through livestock?
- Covid-19 virus is suspected to have originated from wild animals and has infected humans. However, the virus that infects human will not spread to livestock.
7. Is there enough staple food in the market?
- Yes. We have enough rice stock in the market. People need not resort to panic buying.
8. What about movement of domestic and foreign trucks that transport food (live fish and fish products)?
- Referring to the movement control order of the Immigration Department, under item 4.2.4 - heavy vehicle movements (lorries) for the purpose of transporting food supplies are permitted but they are required to undergo medical examination.
9. Can ornamental fish breeders who possess health certificate travel from Malaysia to Singapore?
- According to the Immigration Department movement control order item 4.2.4 - the cross-border movement is only allowed for food supplies. In this case, ornamental fish is not food and breeders are not allowed to travel until the end of movement control order. The Singapore government is also very strict on this.
10. Is the night market (Pasar Malam) or farmer’s market (Pasar Tani) open for business?
- No. Referring to the Prime Minister’s statement, step one: The general prohibition of mass movements and gatherings across the country includes religious, sports, social, and cultural activities. To enforce this prohibition, all houses of worship and business premises must be closed, except supermarkets, public markets, grocery stores, and convenience stores selling basic necessities. The above mentioned markets have a permanent building structure which do not include the farmers’ market and night market. The Housing and Local Government Ministry has also issued a directive to the local authorities to ensure farmers’s market remain closed for the next two weeks.
11. Can agricultural/livestock/fisheries/aquaculture activities continue operating?
- Yes as the ongoing agricultural/livestock/fisheries/aquaculture activities will ensure adequate supply of meat/vegetables/fruits/fisheries products in the country. However, farmers, breeders, and fishermen should take precautionary measure by limiting minimum distance and contact with others and undergoing health checks if necessary.
12. What action should fish breeders and fishermen take in dealing with this Covid-19 situation?
>
- They are advised to take precautionary measures by: minimising contact with others; practice the concept of work rotation to reduce the number of workers on the farm; continue livestock operations as usual with minimal workforce; continue to supply fish to ensure adequate products in the market; and suspend stocking-up of fish seed during the movement control order.
13. Where can people find essential items like fruits and vegetables?
- The public can obtain essential items at selected 17 Operating Centres as temporary sales centres following the movement control order. List of 17 selected operating centres. They are:
1. Perlis: Kangar FAMA Operations Center
2. Kedah: FAMA Operations Center in Alor Star and Sungai Petani
3. Pulau Pinang: Prai FAMA Operations Center
4. Perak: Simpang Pulai FAMA Operations Center
5. Kelantan: Kota Baru FAMA Operations Center
6. Terengganu: Kuala Terengganu FAMA Operations Center
7. Pahang: Kuantan FAMA Operations Center
8. Selangor: FAMA Operations Center in Dengkil and Puchong
9. Kuala Lumpur: FAMA Operations Center in Selayang and Pasar Tani Borong Selayang
10. Negri Sembilan: Seremban FAMA Operations Center
11. Melaka: Ayer Keroh FAMA Operations Center
12. Johor: Johor Baru FAMA Operations Center
13. Sarawak: Samarahan FAMA Operations Center
14. Sabah: Kota Kinabalu FAMA Operations Center
Operation Time: 8am to 5pm
Commodities: road cabbage, tomato, red chillies, dried chillies, shallot, coconut, carrot, ginger, potato, pumpkin, and local commodities
14. Where can the public get the necessary supplies from FAMA besides these 17 Operating Centres?
- They can purchase via online at www.agrobazar.com.my
15. Where can the public get fish and fisheries products?
- LKIM will continue to sell fresh fish at Fishermen’s Market. For residents of Klang Valley, Putrajaya, Shah Alam dan Klang, NEKMAT sells fresh fish and fisheries products online through nekmatbiz.com.my