Consumers welcome more govt interventions over rice supply

There have been four additional intervention measures by the government to address the rice supply issue.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu in a press conference today said they include improving local white rice distribution to rural areas and a subsidy of RM950 per metric tonne for imported white rice for Sabah and Sarawak.

All suppliers will acquire imported white rice at a wholesale price of RM3,200 (warehouse gate price) in 50kg packets, he added.

In Malacca, housewife Noraini Ismail, 67, spoke of the government’s efforts to strengthen the distribution of local white rice to rural areas, including through sundry shops via the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama).

“Lately, we (villagers) had trouble getting local rice. Fortunately, there were programmes to sell local rice organised by the authorities, so we managed to buy,” she told Bernama.

In Negeri Sembilan, Hafizal Badri, 38, said as a consumer, he agreed the distribution of local white rice should be increased in rural areas due to the difficulty of obtaining the staple food, which is often in short supply in supermarkets.

“Meanwhile, local white rice is not available at sundry shops. In urban areas, people have more options because there are many supermarkets.

“Although the government has implemented local white rice interventions before, it’s not sufficient,” said the private sector employee in Seremban.

In Pahang, Badrol Hisham Mohamad, 42, a resident of Kampung Sungai Ular, Kuantan, hoped Fama can carry out immediate distribution in the area so that the community can buy rice at reasonable prices.

Fairus Mohd, a 37-year-old private sector employee, hoped the newly launched Special Joint Task Force for White Rice Enforcement (Op BPT) would quickly resolve issues related to rice supply, ensuring that no one takes advantage of the situation.

Take aim at profiteering traders

In Terengganu, Shahrul Nizam Alias, 44, a civil servant said strengthening the local white rice distribution through Fama could efficiently address issues related to corruption and smuggling among irresponsible wholesalers or traders looking to profit excessively.

In Selangor, a rice company owner who wished to be known as Ah Chong, 50, said the newly launched Op BPT, which will conduct inspections across the entire industry chain, including large factories and rice wholesaler warehouses starting tomorrow, can identify the causes of the rice shortage in the country.

“Conduct inspections at every level to ensure everyone follows the correct procedures. This way, we can assess the quality of work and the state of rice in all stages of production and distribution.

“Identify those who are not fulfilling their responsibilities correctly,” he told Bernama.

In Kedah, Tajudin Abu Bakar, 57, from Jitra, said these intervention measures reflect the government’s concern for the people regarding the local rice supply, and relieving the consumers.

“It is good to have these intervention measures, including Op BPT; it can address the issue if there’s a shortage of local rice supply in Kedah.

“Perhaps some traders take advantage by selling at high prices or mixing regular rice but selling it at a high price,” he added.

- Bernama