There's enough local white rice in Negri, says exco man

SEREMBAN: There is sufficient supply of local white rice in Negri Sembilan, says state exco member S. Veerapan.

The consumerism action committee chairman said the authorities received six complaints on the unavailability of white rice in some areas but supply has since been replenished.

"The temporary shortage happened because some retailers and sundry shop owners decided to buy more local white rice after the prices of imported rice went up significantly.

"Otherwise, we have sufficient supply and consumers need not worry about it," he told reporters on Friday (Sept 15) after visiting several rice wholesalers and retailers in the state.

Veerapan, who also holds the entrepreneurship, human resources, climate change and cooperatives portfolios, said more consumers and businesses began buying local white rice as on average, each bag is about RM10 cheaper than imported rice.

"Since the price of local white rice is controlled at RM2.60 per kg, more people choose to buy it now.

"In fact, smaller sundry shops which only used to sell imported rice previously as the profit margin was higher have started selling local white rice due to higher demand," he added.

Veerapan also advised retailers and consumers not to engage in panic buying as supply was adequate.

He said in the event of a localised shortage, consumers should contact the Control of Padi and Rice hotline at 03-8870 1751/1748 or file a complaint at https://skpb.kpkm.gov.my/adu

They can also contact the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry via WhatsApp at 019 279 4317/019 848 8000 or its call centre at 1 800 886 800.

Separately, Veerapan said from July 7 till Sept 14, the ministry's officers carried out 167 operations, codenamed Ops Jamin, at hypermarkets, supermarkets, minimarkets and retail outlets and found there was no increase in the price of local white rice, a controlled item.

State Control of Padi and Rice Department director Irwan Ahmad Rejab, who was also present, said wholesalers would be asked to replenish the supply of local white rice at outlets which were fast running out of stock.

"Since imported rice is costlier now, more consumers prefer to buy local white rice.

"We will keep replenishing supply but it is our hope that no one will resort to panic buying as consumers will think there is a problem when (a particular) outlet runs out of stock," he said.

Irwan said it took three to four days to restock an outlet that experienced a sudden rice shortage.