Mat Sabu: Proposal to raise ceiling price of local white rice to be finalised before October

SERDANG: The proposal to increase the ceiling price of local white rice will be finalised before October, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said the discussion on the proposal to increase the ceiling price of local white rice was still ongoing between the ministry and other ministries.

"It is still being discussed. The discussion, such as the changes in prices and related matters, involves four to five other ministries, including the Economy Ministry and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.

"There are still discussions needed before we head towards the final stages. Not long from now, maybe before October,” he said during a press conference after launching the Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture and AgroTourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2024 here on Monday (June 10).

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On June 7, Mohamad said all the relevant parties were still discussing the proposal to increase the ceiling price of local white rice (BPT) before a decision was made in a few months.

In November last year, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry’s Paddy and Rice Regulatory Division found that the ceiling price of local white rice should be increased to RM3.20 per kg compared with the current RM2.60 per kg.

Such a move to increase the price of local white rice would protect the future of all parties in the food production chain, especially paddy farmers in the country.