An official from the National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol) has urged Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) to slash the price of imported white rice following the government’s decision to retain the price of 10kg pack of local white rice at RM26 and absorb part of its production cost.
Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, who heads Naccol’s food cluster, said with the local white rice issue settled, now it’s time to review the price of imported white rice.
“As for me, the announcement made by the minister (Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu) in regard to the absence of local white rice (in the markets) has been resolved but there is one more thing to settle, the price of imported white rice.
“The price of imported white rice depends on the global market. With its prices dropping across the world, let’s wait for Bernas to review its prices,” he said at a press conference in Puchong, Selangor today.
Bernas holds the sole concession to import rice from other countries.
Price of white rice unchanged
Yesterday, Mohamad announced that the government will maintain the price of local white rice at RM2.60 per kg.
During his briefing in the Dewan Rakyat today on concerns regarding the country’s paddy industry, he stated that the government would absorb part of the production costs for local white rice over the next six months.
Mohamad also announced that the government has agreed to adjust the floor price for paddy purchases from RM1,300 to RM1,500 per tonne effective Feb 16.
“This RM150 million allocation for six months is to ensure the availability of local white rice supply, with approximately 24 million 10kg sacks in the market.
“We are finalising the implementation mechanism, which will be announced in the near future once the details are confirmed,” he was reported as saying.
India lifts export freeze
Syed Abu Hussin said imported white rice was previously expensive due to India’s export freeze of the said food item.
“We depended on imports from many countries such as India, Pakistan, Vietnam and Cambodia.
“The prices of imported white rice soared due to India’s export freeze but the country has rescinded the order,” he said, adding the matter was confirmed during his foreign visits with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
“Based on reports, the white rice prices in Vietnam dropped drastically. It’s now at US$3,990 (RM17,700) per tonne.
“So, Bernas as the sole company holding the concession to import rice should also reduce prices,” Syed Abu Hussin added.
Yesterday, Anwar announced that tycoon Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary has agreed to channel RM30 million to support the government's efforts to help struggling paddy farmers following the government’s decision on the new floor price.
Syed Mokhtar is a major shareholder of Bernas. - Mkini
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