Don’t raise prices of rice dishes, eateries advised

Tong says the price increase in rice dishes will only burden customers.

EATERIES in Sibu, Sarawak, have been urged not to increase the prices of their rice dishes following the 36% hike in the price of imported rice.

“I urge all food outlets here to not quickly raise the price of their rice dishes just because of the dearer imported rice,” said Sibu Coffee Shop and Restaurant Owner Association chairman Tong Ing Kok.

He said eateries should not make a drastic decision as the government was doing its best to look into the price hike of imported rice.

“With the government capping the price of local white rice at RM2.60 per kg, there is also no reason for eateries to raise the price of their rice dishes,” he said.

Tong said the price increase in rice dishes would only burden customers who were already affected by the increasing cost of living.

Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) recently announced that the price of imported white rice had increased by 36% to RM3,200 from RM2,350 per metric tonne.

It was reported that the price increase was driven by falling harvests in rice-exporting countries due to climate change, among other factors.

Another factor is the ban on exports by India, the world’s largest rice exporter.

Meanwhile Tong said they would maintain the Menu Rahmah rice dish at RM5 per packet despite the current development.

“We want to continue offering Menu Rahmah at the same price.

“I urge participating eateries to keep to the same price,” he said.

Tong said the association would also continue to give participating outlets packs of cooking oil as an incentive.