KUALA LUMPUR: While the government deliberates over the Madani white rice policy, its premature announcement continues to be debated.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the government had not reversed its stance on the grading of white rice, saying the proposal was still under consideration and has not been finalised by the Cabinet.
“At the moment, there has been no notification or discussion in the Cabinet regarding the ruling (one grade of white rice). So it is not a U-turn.
“However, I saw the statement by the chairman of the National Action Council for Cost of Living (Naccol), Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Faisal. It was well intended, he wanted to help reduce the price of goods,” he said, reported Bernama.
Fahmi, who is also the spokesman for the unity government and Lembah Pantai MP, was speaking to reporters after the Lembah Pantai Parliament Khatan ceremony at Masjid Al-Khadijah in Pantai Dalam, here yesterday.He also said it was important to have discussions and coordination within the rice ecosystem, involving entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, and retailers.
Recently, Syed Abu Hussin said local white rice (SST) and imported white rice (SSI) would be de-categorised, leaving Malaysia Madani white rice as the sole category.
Syed Abu Hussin, who is also Bukit Gantang MP, reportedly 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.
However, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, in a statement yesterday, said the government has yet to make a decision on the creation of a singular white rice grade for the country, specifically termed “Madani Malaysia White Rice”.
He pointed out any announcement or decision made must be guided by the Padi and Rice Control Act 1994 (Act 522) and also be notified to the Cabinet.
One for the album: Dr Wee and Ling taking photos with those attending the Chinese New Year celebration at the Yong Peng MCA building. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
Meanwhile, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said no major announcements should be made on matters that have yet to be finalised.
The Ayer Hitam MP said premature announcements would only cause confusion and panic among the public.
“My advice to them (the government) is not to announce something that has yet to be finalised.
“Make sure that the Cabinet has approved it, then the announcement can be made so people don’t panic.
“Do not come out to say that it is just a plan after receiving criticism from the public. The damage has been done,” he said when met at the Ayer Hitam constituency Chinese New Year celebration at the Yong Peng MCA building in Jalan Templer on Friday night.
He added what really matters to the people is the price of the rice.
“First of all, people just want to know whether there is an increase in the price.
“Whether or not there is a new label or repacking are not of concern to the public. In the end, they will remove the packaging and put the rice in a container anyway.
“This is the same with the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BRIM) cash aid, which was later called the Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR) and now rebranded as the Rahmah Cash Aid (STR).
“The name of the programme is not important to the people, what they want to know is how much they can get,” he said.
The Chinese New Year event here received an overwhelming response with an estimated 3,000 attendees.
Also present was MCA National Youth chief Ling Tian Soon, who is also Johor health and environment committee chairman and Yong Peng assemblyman.
