Malaysia Moves to Boost Food Security, Fight Prices
Malaysia announced a $1.3 billion-plan on Saturday to boost food security by building stockpiles, raising rice output and reining in inflation. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the government would ensure the country was self-sufficient in rice, a staple food for its 27 million people. A third of Malaysia's rice needs of over two million tonnes a year is now met by imports. Across the globe foods from bread to milk have become more expensive and in some countries helped fuel inflation and shortages.