PORT KLANG, March 22 — Selangor is the first state in Malaysia to have a food warehouse, or Selangor Food Warehouse (GMS), in its bid to strengthen the carbohydrate and protein supply security system, especially during unforeseen emergencies.
Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari said GMS' launch, an effort by the Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS) at the Tiong Nam Logistics Warehouse, will see it housing 5,000 tonnes of rice and 1,000 tonnes of frozen meat for a period.
“The plan is that if there is an emergency, major disaster, or pandemic and movement is restricted, we are confident the food supplies can last at least three months (with the presence of the GMS), besides being a buffer for the price of goods.
“The stock will not be kept forever; instead, they will be stored for up to a specified period before being removed and replaced. The supplies will also be sold through the Jualan Ehsan Rahmah (JER) and Ehsan Mart programmes at 15 to 20 per cent lower than market prices,” he said.
Amirudin was speaking to the press after officiating the launch of the GMS at Port Klang today, which was also attended by state executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Dato' Izham Hashim and PKPS group chief executive officer Datuk Mohamad Khairil Mohamad Razi.
He added that GMS' implementation is part of the state government’s continuous efforts to improve the food supply system and keep food supply prices affordable, particularly for the needy.
Besides being committed to becoming a leader in strengthening the country’s food security, GMS' implementation also functions as a strategic link in creating a sustainable and efficient food supply chain.
“We hope this initiative can be a model for other states in strengthening their food supply systems for the benefit of Malaysians,” Amirudin said.
[caption id="attachment_394467" align="alignright" width="396"]
Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation group chief executive officer Datuk Mohamad Khairil Mohamad Razi delivers his speech during the launch of the Selangor Food Warehouse at Port Klang, on March 22, 2025. — Picture by REMY ARIFIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Meanwhile, the Menteri Besar said the state government, via PKPS, currently rents part of the Tiong Nam Logistics Warehouse while awaiting the completion of its own warehouse in Kuala Selangor.
“We have identified a site for the new warehouse and are awaiting the planning approval.
“We expect to have our own food warehouse, measuring 4.046 hectares (10 acres) within one and a half years in Kuala Selangor,” he said.
In another development, Khairil said that as a state government agency responsible for the agriculture and agro-food sector, PKPS will always be ready to play a key role in strengthening the state’s food supply chain.
“This GMS is the state government’s strategic initiative arising from its concern for the needs of its people, particularly in facing crises such as natural disasters, epidemics and disruptions in global food supplies,” he said in his speech at the event.
Over RM90 million has been allocated since 2022 for the implementation of the JER and GMS programmes, including contributions from the state government and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
— Bernama
