PUTRAJAYA – Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today said that the integrated enforcement activities under an operation code-named Ops Jamin will continue for the time being to promptly address and restore the rice supply amid the shortage.
The deputy prime minister said since its commencement on July 7, the operation had seen 37 inspections conducted involving 2,322 manufacturing, wholesale and retail premises nationwide, with 142 complaints received related to issues concerning rice supply and prices.
“Among the complaints received are related to the very high price difference between local white rice and imported white rice.
Zahid said this has led traders and eateries to switch to local rice as a cheaper option, causing a shortage of imported rice – especially in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan. He said this in a statement after chairing a meeting of the implementation monitoring committee for the National Action Council for Cost of Living here today.
On July 7, the domestic trade and agriculture ministries had collaborated in the operation to enforce and monitor rice supply nationwide.
Meanwhile, Zahid said that he had also expressed his opinion during the meeting that the national rice stockpile should only be used together with the existing rice stocks if country’s rice supply situation cannot be restored in the near future.
“I also emphasised that the coordinated efforts across ministries should continue, especially initiatives like the Rahmah Sale, Agro Madani Sale, and MyGrocer@Wilayah, and these initiatives should be expanded to the state and parliamentary constituencies in every state,” said Zahid.
He said that various initiatives and programmes have been undertaken by the government to ensure the availability and presence of local rice, including the Local White Rice Special Programme, which has seen a projection of an additional monthly supply of 23,000 tonnes.
He also said that Fama and Felcra have been tasked with supplying rice in areas facing disruptions and have launched a hotline for consumers to report issues and problems related to rice supply and mismanagement.
On the supply of chicken and egg, Zahid said the agriculture ministry has also been instructed to ensure the availability and price stability of chicken and eggs at the farm level to guarantee their presence in the wholesale and retail markets.
“The domestic trade ministry will also ensure continuous monitoring and enforcement of prices and supplies,” he said.
Zahid said he also proposed that all agencies under his Rural and Regional Development Ministry, particularly the Regional Development Authority, initiate the cultivation of legumes to reduce the cost of importing chicken feed.
He said this proposal had been discussed in Sabah and Sarawak for the use of state land and it was also agreed to establish smart collaborations with the agriculture ministry to ensure that the price and supply of chicken remain stable.
Legumes are plants from the Fabaceae group of crops grown in agriculture. They are used as food for humans and livestock, and as green manure to improve soil fertility.
The government has recently announced approximately RM3.77 billion had been spent on chicken and egg subsidies to ensure the stability of chicken and egg supplies and prices for the period from 2022 to 2023. – September 21, 2023