PUTRAJAYA: The National Action Council on Cost of Living will soon meet to decide on the continuation of the local white rice subsidy scheme, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
"We will make a final decision after discussions with Naccol, which is chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. A decision will be reached in the near future," he said when addressing the Ministry’s monthly assembly held in conjunction with the National Month 2025 celebration on Wednesday (Aug 20).
The local white rice subsidy scheme, which runs from March 1 to Aug 31, involves the distribution of 2.4 million 10kg bags of subsidised local white rice, priced at RM26 per bag, across Peninsular Malaysia.
The initiative targets 400,000 low-income and hardcore poor households, with each household limited to purchasing two bags. It represents the first phase of the RM150mil targeted subsidy programme aimed at ensuring affordable rice supply for those most in need.
Meanwhile, the ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak noted that although there had previously been complaints about shortages of local white rice, demand now appeared to have slowed despite improved availability.
"We need to determine whether this is linked to political sentiment, dietary changes or simply consumer preferences. What is clear, however, is that the quality of our local white rice is very good, and we want to optimise production to ensure a stable supply in the market," he said.
Isham added that the initial allocation of 2.4 million bags had not been fully taken up, with sufficient stocks still available. To further ease access, the purchase limit has been raised from two bags per household to five.
"With the price fixed at RM26, households in the B40 group can be assured of steady supply. Previously, some claimed there was no rice, but now it is available - and there are no more complaints," he said.
