The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has stated that there are no plans to increase the ceiling price of local white rice to RM3.40 per kg, as suggested by certain parties.
In response to a proposal by Mydin managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin, the ministry clarified that the regulated price of local white rice will remain at RM2.60 per kg.
The ministry emphasized that the retail price of local white rice remains at RM2.60 per kg, as stated in the Rice (Price and Grade) Order 2008 and the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994.
Ameer Ali Mydin had previously called for an increase in the ceiling price for local white rice to RM34 per 10kg, citing a shortage in supply.
He argued that the current low ceiling price of RM26 per 10kg was discouraging local millers from producing rice.
Ameer Ali Mydin believed that increasing the ceiling price would improve cost structures for producers and help address the shortage.
The ministry clarified that the permission to purchase imported white rice at a wholesale price of RM160 per 50kg was aimed at assisting restaurant groups, food operators, and small vendors with their businesses.
This move was intended to help these businesses control operating costs and prevent an increase in the selling price of rice.
It was also meant to stabilize the supply of local white rice by reducing bulk purchases by restaurant operators, food businesses, and small vendors for household use.
The ministry stated that these measures were taken to balance the demand for rice for business purposes and household consumption, especially during the current period of high demand for local white rice.
The ministry announced that it expects the shortage of local white rice supply to stabilize within a month, thanks to various intervention measures and continuous monitoring from the government.
The country’s rice industry players, including manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, have committed to implementing the Local White Rice Special Programme (PKBPT) nationwide.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
