PM feasts on cassava at speaker's open house

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim ate steamed cassava (ubi kayu) at Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul’s Aidilfitri open house.

This was after Johari’s suggestion to Malaysians to replace rice with cassava, following the lack of local rice in markets and the increasing price of imported rice.

“After visiting HKL (Hospital Kuala Lumpur), (Dr Wan) Azizah (Wan Ismail) and I went to the official residence of the Dewan Rakyat speaker, Johari Abdul, to fulfil his and his wife’s open house invitation.

“I also had the chance to shake hands and say hello to the guests present while being treated to a variety of interesting dishes including steamed cassava and grated coconut,” Anwar said in a statement on Facebook today.

Last Saturday, Harian Metro quoted Johari as suggesting that more Malaysians should be bold and not rely solely on rice as their main staple food.

“If rice (shortage) is an issue, what is the purpose of the rice that we eat? The purpose is to get carbohydrates.

“So, is there an alternative while we resolve the rice issue?” he asked.

However, his suggestion courted backlash on social media, with critics ridiculing Johari for the proposal.

In explaining his suggestion, Johari also said that cassava has greater benefits, such as a lower sugar level than rice.

He added that exploring alternative local food sources could reduce reliance on imports.

Last month, the enforcement division of the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry announced that 140,000 metric tonnes of local white rice is available for RM26 per 10kg pack during a National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol).

Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal then urged the ministry to reveal the whereabouts of the local white rice, considering the shortage. - Mkini