'Where is the rice', Muhyiddin asks PM

 

PARLIAMENT | Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin has called on the prime minister to give a detailed explanation of the nation’s rice issues.

He also questioned the government’s purported lack of action in solving the issue of rice shortages faced by the people, comparing it to when his administration faced similar issues.

“I’ve managed issues regarding rice during my time (in government) in agriculture and domestic trade, and we never faced issues of not having rice in the market or rising prices of rice.

“Back then, rice was managed by Bernas (Padiberas Nasional Bhd). Now, I’m not saying I agree with monopolisation 100 percent, but it raises questions.

“There should be more local rice (in the market) instead of imported rice but the opposite has happened.

“Where did all the local rice go? Until today, there has been no answer by the government,” he said during his debate on the royal address by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar at the opening of the First Meeting of the Second Session of the 15th Parliament.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim previously said the intervention of the Madani government is critical and a prompt decision needs to be made to ensure the supply and prices of the people’s staple food remain stable.

The prime minister said he still received complaints regarding the supply of local white rice (BPT) although the supply and price of BPT in the domestic market were generally under control.

He had also called on the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to coordinate more engagement sessions on the issue and present outcomes at the National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol) meeting on March 20, before being submitted for consideration by the cabinet.

‘Why do people lack confidence?’

Muhyiddin cited the cost of living and a challenging economy as among the main issues faced by the public.

During his speech, he said the people were opting towards keeping foreign currency instead of ringgit due to a lack of confidence that the ringgit would eventually strengthen.

“The real question is, why do they lack confidence? Hasn’t the government given its assurance that the ringgit value will strengthen?

“If you ask me, the answer is simple. The rakyat has no confidence in the prime minister.

“The rakyat isn’t confident in the prime minister’s capability to manage the economy well,” he added.

The Bersatu president also called on the government to further review its petrol and diesel subsidy policies. - Mkini