Enough rice supply in Johor, no need for panic buying, says state exco man

Residents in Johor are being advised against engaging in panic buying as there is an ample supply of rice in the state, according to State Agriculture, Agro-based Industry and Rural Development Committee Chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip. He stated that Johor’s monthly rice consumption stands at 21,000 metric tonnes, while the supply reaches 23,000 metric tonnes. Zahari further explained that the state has an overall supply of 316,000 metric tonnes of rice per year, therefore there is no need to worry about shortages.

The chairman highlighted that the current situation is one of panic buying, with families suddenly purchasing two or three packets of rice at once, including food and canteen operators, as well as food caterers, due to fears of a rice shortage. Zahari made these remarks during the opening of the Madani Agro Sales Programme in Larkin on Wednesday.

Also in attendance were Lilis Saslinda Pornomo, the Domestic Trade and Living Costs Ministry (KPDN) enforcement director in Johor, and Mohd Alieff Sabeh, the director of the Padi and Rice Regulatory Office in Johor. In a related development, Zahari informed that Johor has received an additional supply of 100 metric tonnes of rice from various agencies, including the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) and the Farmers’ Organisation.