‘Supply has since been replenished’

Plenty here: Officers briefing Veerapan (second from right) during his visit to one of the white rice wholesalers in the state.

SEREMBAN: There is no shortage of local white rice in Negri Sembilan, says state executive councillor S. Veerapan.

The consumerism action committee chairman said authorities had 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 small sundry shop owners decided to buy more local white rice after the price of imported rice went up significantly.

“Otherwise, we have sufficient supply and consumers need not worry about it,” he told reporters after visiting several rice wholesalers and retailers in the state.

Veerapan, who also holds the state 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 now.

“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 that only used to sell imported rice because the profit margin was higher, have now started selling local white rice due to higher demand,” he said.

Veerapan also advised retailers and consumers not to panic-buy as there is sufficient supply.

He said in the event of a shortage, consumers can 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 1800 88 6800.

Separately, he said that from July 7 till Sept 14, state Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Department officers had carried out 167 operations under Ops Jamin at hypermarkets, supermarkets, minimarkets and retail businesses and found there was no increase in the price of local white rice, which is a controlled item.

State Control of Padi and Rice department director Irwan Ahmad Rejab, who was also present, said wholesalers will be asked to replenish their supply of local white rice at outlets that are fast running out of stock.

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

“We will keep replenishing the supply, but it is our hope that no one will resort to panic buying as when an outlet runs out, consumers will think there is a problem,” he added.

Irwan said whenever there is a sudden shortage at an outlet, it can take between three and four days to replenish the supply.