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By William Isau
SIBU, Sept 25: The government should allow individual companies to import rice so consumers can benefit from cheaper prices.
Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng said Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas) should allow this practice instead of maintaining a monopoly on it.
“It shouldn’t be this way (monopoly); it should be open for trading to import cheaper rice for the benefit of our rakyat,” he said after officiating at the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Bukit Assek Mid-Autumn Festival celebration on Saturday night (Sept 23).
Meanwhile Chieng criticised a deputy minister for allegedly claiming that people can buy basic necessities with only RM136.60.
“That might only be enough for her family. I believe that many people have criticised her for that video. Nowadays, even RM200 is not sufficient for all their needs.
“I will be there for them, ready to assist them because I now understand that the cost of living is very high, and they can’t afford it anymore,” he added.
Deputy Minister for Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Fuziah Salleh has been widely criticised for her video in which she claimed that people could use only RM136.60 for a month’s groceries shopping.
However, Fuziah lodged a police report regarding the matter on Sept 21 and claimed that the video she had made several months ago had been taken out of context.
The original video was aimed at showing price comparisons between the Mobile Rahmah Sales with a local supermarket in Langkawi, Kedah and was not meant to represent the entire monthly provision for one family. — DayakDaily
