KUALA LUMPUR (July 13): The Fertiliser Bill is expected to be tabled in early 2027 as the government moves to strengthen food security amid concerns over rising fertiliser prices and supply risks from renewed tensions in West Asia, Economy Minister Datuk Seri Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said on Monday.
The proposed legislation aims to strengthen governance, quality standards and market transparency, while enhancing the resilience of agricultural input supplies, he said during his weekly briefing on the global supply crisis. There was no post-briefing question and answer session.
"Amid ongoing global uncertainty, our priority is to ensure that essential supplies remain uninterrupted and that the people are not burdened by unreasonable price increases," Akmal said.
The Fertiliser Bill was announced by Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin in the Dewan Rakyat on June 22. At that time, Chan said the ministry was in the final stages of drafting legislation to regulate quality standards and distribution channels, while ensuring stable fertiliser supplies in the domestic market.
Responding to concerns raised by Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah) over fertiliser shortages and quality issues during global crises, Chan said work on the bill was about 70% to 80% complete.
On Monday, Akmal said the National Economic Action Council (MTEN) had also highlighted the risks posed by prolonged hot weather and declining reservoir levels, with closer monitoring of weather patterns and dam water levels to allow early mitigation measures before production and consumer supplies are affected.
The government also acknowledged the challenges faced by paddy farmers due to changing weather patterns and rising production costs. As of July 12, a total of RM45.98 million had been disbursed under the Ploughing Incentive for Paddy Farmers programme, benefiting 118,908 paddy farmers in Peninsular Malaysia.
Plastics industry faces cost pressures
Akmal also highlighted concerns raised by the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) over mounting pressures on the plastics industry from global supply chain disruptions and rising raw material costs.
For some manufacturers, the challenges have already affected business contracts, investment decisions and workforce management, he said. Pressure on the plastics industry could spill over into the food packaging, electrical and electronic (E&E) components, automotive parts, medical devices, construction, agriculture and manufactured exports.
MPMA also raised concerns over cost structures and competitiveness issues faced by downstream manufacturers, including disparities in raw material costs compared with competing countries.
"The government takes these issues seriously," Akmal said, adding that MTEN had tasked his ministry and Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry with assessing the industry's proposals while balancing the interests of the broader value chain, fiscal considerations and Malaysia's long-term economic competitiveness.
The plastics industry, which supports multiple sectors of the economy, recorded sales of RM62.69 billion in 2025, compared with RM64.78 billion in 2024. Packaging accounted for 45% of the market, while the E&E segment made up 29%.
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