KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysia Madani white rice, which is expected to sell for RM30 for a 10kg bag starting March 1, is a proposal by the National Cost of Living Action Council (Naccol).
This is a suggestion made by Naccol chairman Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, supposedly to have a single grade of white rice with a fixed price, a source told Scoop.
The source added that Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu will make a statement on the matter after he comes back from an official visit to Iran on February 23.
“After the minister is back from Iran, the ministry will hold an engagement session with stakeholders and industry players to get their views on the proposal. This comes after some of the players were not happy with the suggestion.
“The setting of ceiling prices for rice must go through the agriculture and food security minister or the Kawalselia Padi dan Beras director-general through the Rice Control Act 1994 (Act 522).
“Syed Hussin can advise the government but is pending Putrajaya’s nod. He also claimed that the prime minister has agreed but is there any black and white from the PM himself. Syed Hussin’s statement shocked the public.”
Yesterday, Syed Hussin announced that the Malaysia Madani white rice will be the sole category of white rice as Putrajaya agreed to abolish the import (SSI) and local rice (SST) categories.
He also said the RM30 per 10kg bag ceiling price will take effect on February 19 while the product will hit the market on March 1.
With this, the SSI (super spesial import) and SST (super spesial tempatan) categories will be abolished.
Syed Hussin also claimed that the ceiling price was agreed upon by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin, meanwhile, has demanded an explanation over Syed Hussin’s policy. – February 15, 2024
