Malaysia bans imported food at government events — can the Philippines do the same?

Malaysia’s bold move to ban imported food at all official government events has sparked interest across Southeast Asia—especially in the Philippines, where food security and agricultural self-sufficiency remain critical priorities under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration.

• Driving the News:
  • Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently ordered all government agencies to stop using imported food at official functions. He framed the move as part of a broader push to promote local produce, empower Malaysian farmers, and reduce reliance on foreign goods.
  • Prime Minister Anwar said that “in Laos, Vietnam and Thailand, I’ve never been served imported food at any government-hosted official event. It’s automatic for them to ensure only local food is served.”
  • “If every government department follows this directive, it will create more opportunities for our farmers to supply local food ingredients,” the Malaysian Prime Minister said at a Finance Ministry assembly.
• Why it matters: Prime Minister Anwar’s directive isn’t just symbolic. It aims to:
  • Create guaranteed markets for local agricultural products
  • Drive demand for homegrown food
  • Shift procurement habits within public institutions
  • The policy also draws comparisons to food protocols in countries like Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, where locally sourced meals are the norm at state events.
• State of play in the Philippines:
  • President Marcos, who also previously served as concurrent Agriculture Secretary, has consistently emphasized supporting Filipino farmers.
  • His administration has rolled out financial subsidies and fertilizer support, promoted farm mechanization and irrigation projects and called for reduced import dependency.
  • But so far, no similar directive has been issued regarding the use of local-only food in Philippine government events.

• Can we do it here? In light of Malaysia’s action, agricultural groups and food advocates may begin to ask: Could a similar directive from Malacañang create institutional demand for Filipino farm products? Will the Marcos administration lead by example in its catering and procurement choices?
• Between the Lines: If implemented, such a policy could strengthen public awareness of Philippine-grown food, institutionalize support for smallholder farmers and challenge entrenched procurement norms favoring imported or commercial products.
• Bottom Line: Malaysia just turned a food policy into a statement of national pride and economic support. The Philippines, despite its push for food self-sufficiency, has yet to make a similar institutional stand. But in the eyes of farmers, perhaps it’s time.