When Ramadan had just started, bazaar vendors shared their apologies to the general public as they had to raise their prices. One Murtabak vendor even explained that, for them, this was due to the prices of onions increasing as there is a lack of Indian onions in the market.
Prior to Ramadan, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu shared that the increase in onion prices are because of the onion supply crisis in 2020. Following this, the Department of Agriculture started planting onions in Perak in January 2024 in an effort for Malaysia to grow our own onions.
Now, the Minister has taken to his Twitter page to update the general public on the success of their efforts.
He wrote, “A 1-hectare onion plantation pilot project in Kampung Ladang Bikam, Sungkai, has succeeded in producing 2.3 tonnes (of onions) for its first harvest.”
Onions not important?
And while the Ministry’s efforts are indeed something to be proud of, there are some who believe onions might not be an important basic food item for Malaysians.
The Projeck Hitam Twitter page responded to the Minister’s post, to point out that onions should not be a priority over rice, chicken and more.
They wrote, “Even if we harvest 2.6 quadrillion onions, it’s still not Malaysian basic food. Our basic cheap, affordable food is rice, chicken eggs, chicken meat and river fish (the Big 4). Focus on adding more players for the Big 4.”
This caught many by surprise as it is understandable that there are people who do not like onions and will not eat it, onions are used in almost all Malaysian dishes.
Additionally, they believe that growing our own onions can help put affordable onions in the market.
“They’ve just succeeded. Come on. Give them some credit. Have you not read how many consumers are complaining about the price of onions skyrocketing?”
“Onions are still a huge chunk of cost. I am a nasi lemak vendor, 10kgs of onions is already RM70. And that’s before we trim the skin and (cut off) the tips of the onions. It’s a good start to produce our food own.”
“Onions are not a basic food in Malaysia? Do you not know how many of the dishes you eat on a daily basis that uses onions?”
“The most basis dish people learn when cooking in the kitchen: even an omelette with fried rice uses onions. It’s ridiculous who confidently you’re saying its not a important basis ingredient in Malaysian cooking.”
Do you think onions are important when it comes to Malaysian cuisine?
Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
Also read: “Onion murtabak” – M’sian Woman Disappointed After Buying Meatless Murtabak from Bazaar in Kedah
