By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, Sept 21 — Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari has guaranteed local white rice supply in the state is sufficient until the end of this month amid concerns over shortages nationwide.
He said the supply will stabilise beginning next month via the reproduction of rice paddy in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia and rice harvesting in Selangor.
“The requirement for local white rice in Selangor is 45,500 metric tonnes per month. Based on this monthly demand, the stock for Selangor is sufficient until the end of September,” Amirudin said in a statement today.
To ensure rice remains affordable, he said the state government will offer 5kg rice packs at RM13 each for its citizens.
The sale of the product below market value will be implemented through the Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS) at four of its outlets, as well as three other mobile locations daily until the end of the year.
The Menteri Besar added the state government has also set up a Selangor Paddy and Rice Regulatory Authority (KSPDS) to monitor and handle issues of stock shortages.
Those facing difficulties finding rice supply can contact KSPDS at 03-32898419 or 017-2230771.
Meanwhile, Amirudin said the issue of rice supply shortage, which is affecting the whole country, has led to panic buying.
Among the contributing factors to this is India’s export ban on non-basmati rice, leading to a spike in imported rice prices.
Due to this, he said many Malaysians have opted for locally-produced white rice, resulting in the shortage.
Other factors contributing to the short supply are uncertain weather conditions and diseases.
To address the issue, Amirudin said he has informed the Federal government to increase the productivity of rice paddy cultivation by expanding the method used in Sekinchan to other states nationwide.
“In Selangor, the rice production capacity is 138,903.13 metric tonnes per year harvested over 18,061.53 hectares of land, involving a total of 6,871 rice farmers. This is equivalent to a production of 4.19 metric tons per hectare,” he said.
