‘Madani white rice’ to be discussed next week, says Fahmi

 

The government announced on Wednesday that it will introduce the Madani white rice on March 1.

BUKIT MERTAJAM: The National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol) will discuss the “Madani white rice” category when it meets next week, says unity government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil.

This comes after the chairman of Naccol’s food prices committee, Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, announced that the “Madani white rice” will be the sole category of white rice in the country, replacing the local white rice (SST) and imported white rice (SSI) categories.

Today, Fahmi said the matter will be discussed when Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim chairs Naccol’s meeting.

“So we’ll allow that process to take place, and for Naccol to have a discussion and then issue a statement after that,” he told reporters here.

On Wednesday, Syed Hussin said a 10kg sack of “Madani white rice” would be sold at RM30 from March 1, adding that Anwar had approved its introduction.

He also said industry players can sell existing white rice in the old packaging until their stocks are sold out, although these packets must have the “Madani white rice” price sticker.

The Bukit Gantang MP’s announcement has raised questions, with stakeholders urging the government to explain the decision and furnish further details.

Mydin hypermarket managing director Ameer Ali Mydin said the move was unclear and that it would be “impossible” to lower the price of SSI from RM40 per 10kg to RM30, warning of a shortage in the market.

Syed Hussin had said a 5kg bag of the Malaysia Madani white rice would be sold at RM15.50 each and a 1kg bag at RM3.50.

Currently, local white rice is sold at RM26 for a 10kg bag, RM13 for 5kg and RM2.60 per 1kg.

Cabinet to discuss funding Penang airport expansion

Earlier, at the opening of the Entrepreneurs’ Connectivity Strengthening Carnival here, Anwar said he would look into expediting the channelling funds for the Penang International Airport’s expansion.

He said the matter would be raised at the Cabinet meeting next Wednesday.

“Hopefully, we can start (with the work) at the end of the year. I will ask if we can hasten the (distribution of the) approved funds as it would take two to three years to take off,” he said.

Last October, the federal government approved a RM93 million allocation to support land acquisition and infrastructure enhancements for the Penang airport’s expansion. - FMT