FAMA to set up 97 fresh produce sale centres nationwide

PUTRAJAYA, March 31 -- The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) will set up new sales centres for fresh produce at 97 locations nationwide, said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said it would include 10 selected farmers’ markets, permanent farmers’ markets (33), FAMA operations centers (17), MyFarm outlets (three) and area farmers' associations (PPK) (34).

“While we allow the people to have more choices at wet markets including farmers’ markets, the standard operating procedure (SOP) of the Movement Control Order (MCO) must be adhered to.

“(The move) is to control the congestion at wet markets in the morning… as it is difficult to practice social distancing,” he said.

Ismail Sabri, who is also Defence Minister, said this at a press conference after attending a COVID-19 meeting with the menteris besar and chief ministers, chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today.

He said some of products that would be available at the sale centres include vegetables, fruits, poultry, fish, meat and other daily essentials.

The selected farmers’ markets would operate from 8 am to 12.30 pm, twice a week, while for the FAMA operations centres, permanent farmers’ markets and MyFarm outlets, the operating hours would be from 8.30 am to 4 pm daily, he said.

The police and the army would control the entrance and exit of the sales centres, he said, adding that by opening more centres for fresh produce it could help farmers who incurred losses as they could not sell their products during the MCO period.

In another development, Ismail Sabri said highway management companies, namely, Plus Berhad, Anih Berhad, Latar Expressway Berhad, Maju Expressway Sdn Bhd, Prolintas, Kesas, Grand Saga and Grand Sepadu had agreed to give rental payment waiver during the MCO period for business operators at rest and service (R&R) areas along the highways.

“The government is grateful for the concern shown by these companies, and hopes many more will come forward to provide assistance,” he said.

-- BERNAMA