PUTRAJAYA, March 19 — The government, via the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL), has agreed to reduce the retail price of imported white rice by RM2 to RM3 effective tomorrow.
Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the current price is around RM38 to RM45 for a 10kg pack of imported white rice, which is expected to drop to RM35 following the announced adjustment in price, which was finalised at today’s NACCOL meeting.
“The government is optimistic that this move will help Malaysians reduce their living costs, especially during the Ramadan fasting month and the upcoming festivities,” he said in a statement today.
Mohamad added that the government also decided that all current rice stocks totalling 140,000 metric tons purchased by millers must be processed and made available to local markets immediately to boost rice distribution.
“MAFS will ramp up enforcement nationwide, and to expand the distribution of imported white rice, the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) and the Farmers’ Organisation Authority (FAO) will carry out more Agro Madani sales throughout Malaysia,” he said.
The government had similarly agreed that all government contracts would use imported white rice, which will ensure the additional 20,000 metric tonnes of imported white rice can be fully distributed by April.
“All these measures — lower rice prices and additional rice supply in the market — would boost the availability of rice to Malaysians,” Mohamad said.
MAFS will continue discussions with stakeholders to finetune a long-term action plan to craft a more realistic rice production cost structure to ensure the rice industry is sustainable, especially in safeguarding rice farmers’ interests and welfare and boosting national rice production.
“This decision shows the strong commitment of the Madani government in preserving the people’s welfare and to strengthen the national food security agenda,” he said.
— Bernama
