KUALA LUMPUR: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has announced that over one million sacks of 10kg local white rice have been distributed in response to the government’s intervention measures to alleviate the shortage. As of October 16, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu disclosed that a total of 1,027,739 10kg sacks of local white rice have been distributed to hypermarkets, the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama), the Farmer’s Organisation Authority (LPP), and state wholesalers. The easing of the shortage is expected soon due to the harvest period in Kedah ending later in October, according to Mohamad’s written Parliamentary reply on October 26.
Mohamad’s response came in answer to a query from Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah), who asked about the current status of rice supplies and the ministry’s steps to resolve the issue. Mohamad attributed the shortage of local white rice to the rising prices of imported white rice. The increase in prices, announced by Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas) on September 1, led to an uptick in demand for local white rice. Mohamad explained that the government currently controls the price of local white rice at RM2.60 per kg, making it much cheaper than imported white rice, which lacks any price controls. As a result, consumers shifted their preference from imported to local white rice, causing a shortage in the market.
Mohamad revealed that the government had previously announced several intervention measures to address the shortage. This included directing Fama and LPP to increase the distribution of local white rice to rural areas and establishing a special task force to monitor rice supplies. Additionally, the government implemented large-scale SMART Sawah programs and strengthened the irrigation infrastructure of padi fields to ensure long-term rice supplies. Mohamad further stated that the ministry intends to expand SMART Sawah programs and padi fields nationwide through collaborations with various stakeholders. The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, in collaboration with the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, is also working with higher learning institutions and research institutes to cultivate high-quality crops that can be harvested in under 75 days and withstand extreme weather.
