By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 20: The retail price of imported white rice (BPI) will be reduced by RM2 to RM3 in the market effective today.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, announcing this in a statement yesterday (March 19), said that the decision was made during the National Cost of Living Action Council (NACCOL) meeting, to address the issue of shortage of local white rice (BPT) in the market following the price adjustment of BPI by Bernas on Sept 1 last year.
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya.
Prior to this, the retail price of imported white rice in the market was around RM38 to RM45 for a 10-kilogramme (kg) pack, and with the announcement of the new price adjustment, the expected retail price will drop to RM35 for the same pack.
“The government is optimistic that this initiative will help reduce the cost of living for the people, especially during Ramadan and the upcoming festive season,” Mohamad said.
Additionally, he stated that to improve the distribution of imported white rice in the market, the government has decided that all current rice stocks purchased by manufacturers totalling 140,000 metric tonnes will need to be processed and made available in the local market.
“Hence, the ministry will enhance enforcement through the Paddy and Rice Supervision (KPB) nationwide.
“To expand the distribution network of imported white rice, the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) and the Farmers’ Organisation Authority (FAO) will carry out more Agro Madani sales throughout the country,” he said.
Furthermore, Mohamad disclosed that the government had agreed that all government contracts would use imported white rice, ensuring that the additional 20,000 metric tonnes of imported white rice would be fully distributed by April.
“All these measures will increase the availability of rice supply to the people at lower prices as well as to boost the supply of rice in the market,” he said.
Mohamad added that the ministry will continue discussions with all stakeholders to refine long-term action plans to create a more realistic rice production cost structure.
This to ensure that the rice industry is sustainable, especially in safeguarding the interests and welfare of farmers and improving national rice production.
“This decision reflects the government’s steadfast commitment in safeguarding the welfare of the people and strengthening the country’s food security agenda,” he said. — DayakDaily
