New Malaysia Madani white rice raises questions, says Mydin boss

 

The government will introduce the Malaysia Madani white rice priced at RM30 for a 10kg bag next month.

PETALING JAYA: The head of a hypermarket chain has urged the government to explain the decision to abolish the local white rice (SST) and imported white rice (SSI) categories.

Mydin hypermarket managing director Ameer Ali Mydin said the reason behind the move to abolish the two rice categories and replace it with a new “Malaysia Madani white rice” category nationwide was unclear.

Ameer Ali Mydin.

“It’s impossible for the government to eliminate SSI because it’s imported rice. What will happen to SSI?

“It’s impossible to lower the price of SSI from RM40 per 10kg to RM30. This will lead to a shortage in the market. The industry needs an explanation,” he told FMT.

Yesterday, the chairman of the national cost of living action council’s food prices committee, Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, said the Malaysia Madani white rice will be the sole category of white rice in the country as Putrajaya has agreed to abolish the SSI and SST categories.

The government will introduce the Malaysia Madani white rice priced at RM30 for a 10kg bag. It is expected to be available in the market from March 1.

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

Ameer also asked Syed Hussin to explain if the sale of SST and SSI categories will be completely discontinued.

He said the issue is whether the Malaysia Madani white rice to be sold is in fact the SST currently being sold at RM26 per 10kg bag or the SSI at RM40 per 10kg bag.

However, he thanked the government for the announcement, saying the RM30 per 10kg price tag for the Malaysia Madani white rice was “truly competitive”.

Meanwhile, the Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, Selangor (Cassa) questioned whether stakeholders were consulted before Putrajaya decided to abolish the SST and SSI categories.

Jacob George.

Cassa president  Jacob George said he hoped to hear first from the government before drawing any conclusions.

“Let’s wait and see if this announcement was made only in his (Syed Hussin’s) own interests or as a response to address the issue at its root,” he said. - FMT