By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 15: Malaysia government’s Imported White Rice (BPI) subsidy programme for Sarawak and Sabah will continue uninterrupted even as Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas) announced a nationwide price adjustment for BPI to RM2,600 per metric tonne, effective today.
This move, aligned with the latest announcement by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, sees all BPI prices at Bernas warehouses across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak adjusted to reflect changing global market conditions.
In a statement, Bernas reaffirmed its role as a strategic partner in ensuring national food security, stating that the price revision is part of a proactive approach to bolster the resilience of the nation’s rice supply chain and mitigate the impact of fluctuating international prices.
The company assured that consumers would continue to enjoy access to imported rice at competitive rates, supporting efforts to alleviate the cost of living.
This latest adjustment follows a previous reduction on Dec 1, 2024, when BPI prices were lowered from RM3,000 to RM2,800 per metric tonne.
Malaysia continues to offer the most affordable BPI pricing in the Southeast Asian region, according to Bernas.
The company also provided assurance that Malaysia’s rice supply remains sufficient to meet domestic demand.
With ongoing imports from key rice-producing countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, and Myanmar, Bernas said its diversified sourcing strategy ensures stable supply and reduces dependency on any single market.
As the official concessionaire under its agreement with the federal government, Bernas said it remains steadfast in its commitment to maintain a sustainable rice stockpile and ensure continuous availability of rice throughout the country.
Further reinforcing its role in food security and rural welfare, Bernas highlighted its RM90 million Special Aid Allocation for paddy farmers, which was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in February.
Entirely funded by Bernas without the use of public resources, the aid was channelled through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) in two phases — RM60 million disbursed in stages with the final RM15 million paid on March 5, and the remaining RM30 million fully transferred by March 28, 2025.
Bernas reiterated its commitment to collaborating with KPKM and industry stakeholders to implement long-term strategies that prioritise farmers’ welfare and the sustainability of Malaysia’s rice ecosystem. — DayakDaily
