Indonesian government turns down Malaysia's request to buy local rice

A worker carries rice sacks at a warehouse of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) in Talumolo village, Gorontalo city, Gorontalo, on March 3, 2024. - Photo: Antara file

JAKARTA: The government has turned down a request for rice from Malaysia, with Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman explaining that Indonesia cannot export the grain at this time as it seeks to maintain domestic reserves.

Amran said Kuala Lumpur had requested to import rice from Indonesia due to insufficient supply that had pushed up prices in Malaysia.