The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has requested all padi millers and rice wholesalers to increase the supply of local white rice (BPT) by 20 percent through the Local White Rice Special Programme in an effort to restore supply in the market.
On August 27, a Joint Engagement session was held in Alor Setar, Kedah, where the request was agreed upon by padi millers and rice wholesalers from the North Zone Rice Manufacturers and Rice Wholesalers Industry.
The statement from the ministry confirmed that Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) will give additional quota to bumiputra wholesalers to increase the country’s BPT supply through the BPT Special Programme.
BPT prices have remained controlled at RM2.60 per kg since 2008, making it the lowest price in the region. Malaysia’s price is lower than Thailand’s RM2.70 per kg and Cambodia’s RM3.20 per kg.
In order to gather inputs and perspectives from industry players to enhance BPT production, a KPKM 2024 Budget Dialogue Session will be held on September 7 at the Serdang Malaysia Agricultural Expo Park (MAEPS), Serdang.
Monitoring of the commodity is carried out continuously through Operation Guarantee (Op Jamin), which was introduced on July 1 in cooperation with the Padi and Rice Authority and the Enforcement Division of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
Additionally, Operation White Rice (Op BPT) was launched on August 16. This operation focuses on inspection and enforcement at the padi millers and rice wholesalers level across the country.
The statement from the ministry emphasized that any violation of the Padi and Rice Control Act 1994 (Act 522) could result in the cancellation or suspension of issued licenses, as authorized by the Director-General of Padi and Rice Control.
– Bernama
Credit: The Star : News Feed
