KUALA LUMPUR – The government has started one out of four of its intervention initiatives today in an effort to tackle the supply shortage of local white rice, including taking rice samples for chemical analysis to determine their originality.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the integrated operation, which will be headed by deputy minister Chan Foong Hin, will include the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry and the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis).
He said the authorities, through Ops Bersepadu Beras Putih Tempatan, will conduct a comprehensive inspection of the industrial supply chain, which includes all large factories and wholesale stores, starting tomorrow.
“The rice sample will be taken at rice factories, warehouses, and even those (sold) in supermarkets for chemical analysis.
“I wanted to emphasise here that the government will take strict action on any party that is found to have repackaged rice or mixed local and imported white rice, as well as hiding supplies,” he said during a press conference here today.
He was also joined by Chan, the ministry’s Padi and Rice Regulatory Division director-general Datuk Azman Mahmood, Maqis director-general Shamsul Akbar Sulaiman, and other heads of department involved in the operation.
Mohamad added that the other three initiatives involved in the intervention plan include instructing the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) to increase local white rice distribution in rural areas, including sundry shops, with the government bearing transportation costs.
“In the context of Sabah and Sarawak, the government has agreed to give a RM950 subsidy per metric tonne of imported white rice starting October 5. Through this initiative, the selling price of imported white rice in these two states will be RM31 for every 10kg pack.
“This initiative is to be implemented, seeing that the local white rice production in Sabah and Sarawak is too limited.
“And also, all purchases of white rice supplies under government contract will use imported white rice, where suppliers can obtain supplies at a wholesale price (warehouse price) of RM3,200, according to the terms and conditions set”.
The minister also said that various intervention measures have been implemented by the government before, including involving enforcement elements and several engagement sessions with all padi and rice industry stakeholders for better input on the issues.
He added that on September 20, the ministry also launched special local white rice programmes, where 600,000 packs of 10kg local white rice have been distributed throughout the peninsular through several supermarkets, Fama, and the Farmers Organisation Authority.
Chan said in a statement that the strengthening of enforcement through the integrated operation shows the government’s continued determination to ensure the continuity of rice supply in the market.
“Therefore, I welcome any party with information to submit an official report and details such as time and place to facilitate enforcement actions.”– October 2, 2023