Agriculture Ministry: 100kg cap on local white rice purchase effective today

Starting today, individuals are restricted to purchasing a maximum of 10 bags of 10kg local white rice, amounting to a total of 100kg.

Agriculture and Food Security Ministry’s Paddy and Rice Regulatory Division director-general Azman Mahmood clarified that the restriction was implemented in response to the excessive buying of white rice.

“We (the ministry) found that there are traders buying 500 to 700kg parcels of rice, that’s why we are placing this restriction today,” he said.

Azman added that this new limit will remain indefinitely, or at least until the situation concerning the increasing prices of imported white rice stabilises.

Azman was speaking at a press conference after the Budget 2024’s paddy and rice sector dialogue session in Serdang today.

Agriculture and Food Security Ministry’s Paddy and Rice Regulatory Division director-general Azman Mahmood

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu was also present at the dialogue session.

According to the ministry, this initiative is part of the Local White Rice Special Programme.

This follows another intervention measure under the programme, where paddy millers and rice wholesalers were asked to increase the supply of local white rice by 20 percent.

‘No price surge in Sabah, Sarawak’

Meanwhile, Azman denied that there was a price surge of rice in Sabah, as well as Sarawak.

“Sabah’s white rice imports are not controlled by the government.

“Any price hike will follow the markets in Sabah and Sarawak,” he added.

Azman said this when asked about Warisan’s concern over the price surge of locally produced rice, in tandem with the recent price hike of imported white rice announced by Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas).

He also denied that there was an alleged manipulation of the local white rice supply, where certain parties had claimed that local brands had altered their packaging to mimic imported ones.

Azman said the ministry has not received any official complaints on this matter, adding that there was no concrete evidence to support such claims.

“As such, the ministry will not hesitate to take action against those who made the baseless allegation.”

Additionally, he clarified that Malaysia's rice stockpile equals a month and a half's worth, and the country also maintains a trading stock that can last up to six months.

“People need not worry as the trading stock is sufficient to last until Hari Raya Aidilfitri next year and the stockpile will only be tapped in emergency situations,” Azman said. - Mkini