PUTRAJAYA – All padi millers and rice wholesalers have been asked to increase the supply of local white rice by 20% through the Local White Rice Special Programme, as one of the intervention measures to restore supply in the market, according to the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.
In a statement today, the ministry informed that the request had been agreed upon by padi millers and rice wholesalers in a joint engagement session with the North Zone Rice Manufacturers and Rice Wholesalers Industry held on August 27, in Alor Star, Kedah.
“Through this Local White Rice Special Programme, Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) will give the additional quota to Bumiputera wholesalers to increase the country’s local white rice supply,” said the statement.
According to the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry the price of local white rice has remained at the controlled price of RM2.60 per kg since 2008 and it is the lowest price in the region.
For the record, Malaysia is in first place, ahead of Thailand which sells the commodity at a price of RM2.70 per kg while in Cambodia it is RM3.20 per kg.
According to the ministry, an Agriculture and Food Security Ministry 2024 Budget Dialogue Session with industry players and stakeholders under the rice sub sector will be held at the Serdang Malaysia Agricultural Expo Park (MAEPS), Serdang on September 7.
The session aims to get inputs and views from industry players on methods to increase local white rice production, said the ministry.
In terms of monitoring the commodity, the ministry informed that it is carried out continuously through Op Jamin which was introduced on July 1, with the cooperation of the Padi and Rice Authority and the Enforcement Division under the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
The ministry also launched Operation White Rice (Op BPT) on August 16, which focuses on inspection and enforcement at the level of padi millers and rice wholesalers throughout the country, according to the statement.
Any violation of the Padi and Rice Control Act 1994 (Act 522), the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry said through the authority of the Director-General of Padi and Rice Control, the authority has the right to cancel or suspend licences that have been issued. – September 2, 2023
The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has launched the Local White Rice Special Programme as an initiative to boost local white rice supply by 20%. – September 2, 2023