M’sia’s rice supply issue to be discussed at NACCOL meeting

PAPAR: Issues pertaining to the country’s rice supply will be in the National Action Council on Cost of Living’s (NACCOL) special meeting agenda this Friday, says Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.Armizan said his ministry, as NACCOL secretariat, has received confirmation from the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry that the issue of rice supply would be one of the matters to be raised for discussion.

The NACCOL special meeting will be chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Armizan said the power to regulate padi and rice, including matters pertaining to its supply and price, is under the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry’s purview.

“This is in line with the order issued under the Ministerial Functions Act 1969,” he told reporters after attending a mass circumcision ceremony, as reported by Bernama.

Any official announcements regarding the country’s rice supply will be made by Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, or a designated representative after decisions are reached by NACCOL, Armizan added.

He said these decisions will also be brought to the Cabinet, especially if major decisions are made and if it involves financial implications.

On Friday, the Prime Minister had said that the government would finalise price controls for rice at the special Naccol meeting next week and expressed confidence that the price of rice could be reduced and subsequently alleviate the people’s burden.

It was reported that the government would introduce a “Beras Putih Malaysia Madani” white rice category to replace the local and imported white rice categories in the market.

Armizan also said his ministry will seek the meeting’s consideration to set up an indicator for cost of living.

“We have a consumer price index, but if there is an indicator for the cost of living, we will be able to make a more comprehensive assessment, including in the context of aid distribution to the people,” he said.

Armizan pointed out that different districts and regions will have different costs of living.

“The price of goods, including logistics costs, is different. That is why we need to establish the indicator,” he said.

Armizan added that the Economy Ministry and Statistics Department will be roped in to see the components to be included in the cost of living indicator.