Singapore has planned for the scenario of disruptions to food supplies from Malaysia, said Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing.

In a doorstop interview with media on Tuesday (March 17) morning, Chan said our current stockpiles also already have between two and three months' worth of carbohydrates, proteins and vegetables for Singapore's needs.

This on the back of an evening announcement on Monday (Mar. 16) from Malaysian prime minister Muhyiddin that there will be a nationwide lockdown beginning on Wednesday, March 18.

This entails a restriction on tourists and foreign visitors coming into Malaysia. Malaysians are also barred from travelling abroad.

Given these travel restrictions, Chan previously already assured Singaporeans on Monday night in a Facebook post that our food supply is stable.

Singapore has planned for such a scenario

He elaborated on this assurance on Tuesday morning, however, noting that even though Malaysian lines have been disrupted, Singapore does have plans to manage this with stockpiling, local production and also diversification of the overseas sources for our supply.

"Now this combination of stockpiling and local production will allow us time to bring in alternative supplies should our usual supply lines be disrupted. So in this particular instance, the Malaysian lines have been disrupted and our stockpile and local production will allow us time to bring in alternative supplies."

Chan also elaborated more on our supplies, saying that the actual numbers cannot be revealed as this will affect negotiations with overseas suppliers.

However, for staples such as rice and noodles, he said that we have over three months' worth at the national level. Singapore also has domestic production capabilities for noodles, he added.

For proteins and vegetables, Chan explained that we have a combination of fresh, frozen and canned options to our demand. Singapore also has over two months' worth of stockpile for proteins and vegetables.

Singapore produces eggs locally, and should Malaysian supplies be disrupted, Chan said that they have activated airfreight options to bring in substitute supplies.

Chan said that Singaporeans may have to "make some adjustment" to our choices, but supplies are sufficient as long as everyone buys responsibly.

"So to all fellow Singaporeans, while we may have to make some adjustment to our choices, we do have sufficient supplies for all Singaporeans so long as we buy responsibly."

He also urged Singaporeans to stay calm.

"I should perhaps share with fellow Singaporeans that while there are travel restrictions by various countries this does not equate to a restriction in the supply chains."

Top photo by Zheng Zhangxin