TAIPING: The National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL) is urging Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas) to set a ceiling price for imported white rice.
NACCOL Task Force (Food Cluster) chairman Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal said the price of imported white rice is uncertain as it varies according to the brand.
He said this would ensure that consumers know why the prices range from RM36 to RM65 even though the grade is the same.
"So far, there hasn't been any indication from relevant parties on setting a ceiling price even though the government has agreed to reduce it by RM2 per kilogramme from the original price of RM37.
"When there is a ceiling price, the people can make choices from the various brands available, so Bernas must implement this promptly," he said in a press conference here on Sunday (April 7).
He said he hoped the list of all local white rice manufacturers and suppliers will be announced before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
At a NACCOL meeting on March 20, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, four measures were agreed on to resolve issues related to padi and rice prices, including the immediate processing and release of 140,000 metric tonnes of padi and rice stocks bought by manufacturers. – Bernama
