AGRICULTURE and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu today said there has been no decision by the government to introduce a single category of white rice known as the Malaysia Madani white rice.
In a statement, he said no decision has been made on the proposal by Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Faisal, who is the National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol) food prices, committee chairman.
Syed Hussin had earlier said that the government is going to introduce the Malaysia Madani white rice at RM30 for a 10 kg sack on Feb 19 and it is expected to be available in the market from March 1.
With this, the Bukit Gantang MP said there would no longer be local white rice (SST) and imported white rice (SSI) categories.
The Malaysia Madani white rice will be the sole category.
The price of a 5kg sack of “Madani white rice” will be set at RM15.50 while a 1kg bag of rice will be priced at RM3.50.
Syed Hussin added that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had approved the introduction of the “Madani white rice” category.
Mohamad added that any decision or announcement made must be under the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994 and the Cabinet must be informed beforehand.
Yesterday, Anwar said the price control on rice will be one of the main topics to be discussed at the next Naccol meeting, which he will be chairing. – The Vibes, February 17, 2024
