No point allocating billions for food security when local rice still scarce: MP

 

PARLIAMENT | A PKR MP criticised the government for not being able to resolve the local rice supply shortage in the market.

Taking the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to task, Hassan Abdul Karim (Harapan-Pasir Gudang) said there is no point in announcing billions of ringgit to manage local rice production when supply is still scarce.

“I want to ask the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, which has a unit to manage paddy and rice… why we still suffer from local rice shortages.

“I went to the ground and found only imported rice (being sold). Our farmers produce local rice but only imported rice is being sold.

“I’ve been a backbencher for two years but the issue is still left unresolved. I feel embarrassed as a government MP,” he said during the Supply Bill 2025 debate at the Dewan Rakyat.

Cartel issues

On Nov 9, Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will expose the rice and paddy cartel which has been profiting from people’s misery while monopolising the food item.

Mohamad Sabu

She said the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) had completed a report on the matter but could not reveal it for now.

“The report has been completed and I have studied it. However, I cannot reveal its contents.

“I cannot supersede the premier. Let the prime minister reveal the details of the report,” she was reported as saying.

On Nov 11, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu appeared to suggest that the price of local rice might be too low.

“Since 2008, the price of local white rice has been set at RM2.60 per kg to ensure that people can get rice at an appropriate price.

“At the time, the price of one tonne (of paddy sold by farmers) was around RM900.

“Now it is RM1,300. Should (the price of local white rice) remain at RM2.60?” he asked.

Hassan (above) then urged the ministry to alleviate the perception by certain quarters that local rice is being repackaged as imported rice to be sold at a higher price.

“There are perceptions… please say yes or no. Is the imported rice being sold in retail outlets actually local rice, or mixed with both local and imported ones?

“This is public perception, so I want to ask, what is the Kawalselia Padi dan Beras unit (rice and paddy unit regulator) doing about it?” he asked. - Mkini