Local white rice price stays

PM clarifies locally grown staple is capped at RM2.60 per kg

MUAR: The price of local white rice has not gone up, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, refuting critics for giving the wrong picture about the recent price increase of the daily staple.

The Prime Minister said the government will continue to cap the price of local white rice at RM2.60 per kg – the lowest in the region – and it is the price of imported rice that has increased.

“We cannot control the price of imported white rice but we say the price of (locally grown) rice that locals eat cannot be increased. That is our decision,” Anwar said at a ceramah in Sungai Abong here on Sunday night.

“They say the price of rice has gone up but this is only for imported white rice.

“If you want to eat expensive rice like basmati, you have to pay for it.

“Facts are facts. Do not lie,” he said of criticism that the government had allowed the prices for all rice varieties to go up.

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

It was reported that the price increase was driven by, among others, falling harvests in rice-exporting countries due to climate change and a weakening ringgit.

These factors were also compounded by the ban on exports by India, the world’s largest rice exporter.

In his speech, Anwar acknowledged this problem but added that his administration is taking steps to increase the supply of locally produced rice.

“It is true we face a problem. The price of imported white rice has gone up. India had also recently imposed a 40% export duty on their onions too,” he said.

The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry will meet Bernas, rice millers and wholesalers on Thursday in hopes of increasing the supply of local white rice (BPT) by 20% through the Local White Rice Special Programme.

Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan chairman, was campaigning for the coalition’s candidate, Nazri Abdul Rahman, who is contesting for the Simpang Jeram state seat in Saturday’s by-election.

Pakatan is also contesting the Pulai parliamentary seat by-election on the same day.

Anwar said he is confident that voters in these two constituencies will deliver a clear message that in order to develop the country, Malaysians must reject stagnation, racism and religious extremism.

“I have confidence that Johor will determine the history of a new Malaysia in this by-election.

“We are different from Perikatan Nasional where when they give speeches, PAS and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) will criticise and call the Prime Minister stupid,” he said, referring to the Perikatan coalition which is Pakatan’s main rival in the local polls.

“So why are they busy trying to stop me? I have been waiting for 25 years to become Prime Minister and when given the opportunity, it is time for me to work, so let me work.

“God willing, this government will be strong and solid for the next four years,” he added.