PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA - Smugglers are traitors to the country and Malaysians must help fight the scourge, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The Prime Minister said smugglers, especially those who illegally take out essential items like petrol and rice, were "betrayers of the country and of all Malaysians".

"Their actions are unacceptable, especially when the Government has placed a lot of effort to ensure sufficient food supply when the world is facing a shortage," he said.

Abdullah said smuggling food and essential items had become rampant because food prices were lower in Malaysia compared to neighbouring countries.

"Consumers will have to become the eyes and ears of enforcement authorities.

"They will have to be vigilant, not only to prevent smuggling but also indiscriminate price increases by errant traders," he told the staff of the Prime Minister's Department at their monthly gathering yesterday.

Abdullah said that hoarding and lower foodstuff production had resulted in some shortages.

"This has worried consumers who in turn began to exert pressure on the Government, demanding quick solutions.

"We need to re-distribute (financial) allocations that had been fixed for certain projects just to make sure we have enough money to ensure sufficient food supply to set up a stockpile," he said.

Abdullah said the Government had taken the necessary steps to ensure that the food shortage, which was a global phenomenon, would not overburden the rakyat.

"RM4bil had been allocated to ensure Malaysians have sufficient food supply," he said.

He said steps had also been taken to increase food production and the relevant ministries and agencies had been given funds, including for opening new areas for padi farming, vegetable plantations, poultry farming and cattle breeding.