No decision made on creating new Malaysia Madani rice category, says Mat Sabu

PETALING JAYA: The government has yet to make any decision on creating a new Malaysia Madani white rice category, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

The Agriculture and Food Security Minister concurred with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that the proposal will be discussed collectively with the National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol) in an upcoming meeting.

"Any announcement or decision to be made must be in accordance with the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994 and to notify the Cabinet," he said in a statement on Saturday (Feb 17).

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His statement was in response to Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, who reportedly said local white rice (SST) and imported white rice (SSI) would be decategorised, leaving Malaysia Madani white rice as the sole category.

The Naccol task force (food cluster) chairman said that between Feb 19 and March 1, rice industry players can make adjustments and sell rice in the old packaging until all wholesalers’ stocks are sold out.

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He added that the new packaging of all white rice must then carry the "Beras Putih Malaysia Madani" sticker.