KPKM Continuously Monitors Local White Rice Price - Mohamad Sabu

JELEBU, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) is continuously monitoring the retail prices of local white rice to ensure the ceiling price remains at RM2.60 per kilogramme (kg) while the review is being carried out.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said this move was made to ensure that the people continue to receive rice supplies at reasonable prices following the termination of the Subsidised Local White Rice (BPT) Special Programme on Sunday.

“We are maintaining the BPT price at RM2.60 per kg for now. The government has issued subsidies of approximately RM150 million, and currently, this price remains in effect until we conduct a review. No complaints about BPT price increases have been received so far (following the termination of the programme).

“So, we are monitoring from time to time, and I will also get reports every time after the Cabinet meeting. I will always ask for reports on the rice situation so that it remains as it is now (price-controlled). The price of imported white rice is also not high, but we cannot rely on it completely," he said.

He said this to reporters after visiting the Sungai Buloh Padi Scheme planting project, which was also attended by Negeri Sembilan Agriculture, Food Security and Cost of Living Committee chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias here today.

On Saturday, the KPKM said in a statement that it would reassess the new supply mechanism for white rice following the end of the BPT Programme, to ensure that the people continue to receive sufficient supplies at reasonable prices.

According to KPKM, the assessment also took into account the price alignment of Imported White Rice (BPI) at a rate of RM2,600 per tonne at the Padi Beras Nasional Bhd (Bernas) warehouses, which came into effect on May 15, as well as measures to address the rice-mixing practice in the market.

Meanwhile, he said the KPKM is working to revive the Self-Sufficiency Ratio (SSR) programme for rice, including redeveloping abandoned padi fields or idle areas in collaboration with state governments.

"We don't want to be caught off guard when geopolitical events occur, such as when India stops exporting rice or the Ukraine-Russia war... we need to be prepared. We want the country's rice self-sufficiency level in the future to reach at least 90 per cent, so we can guarantee food security," he said.

Clearly, the country's rice supply was previously at 71 per cent and decreased to 56 per cent, among other reasons, due to the loss of 20,000 hectares of land due to housing and industrial development, as well as uncultivated land.

He said that the interest of young people in large-scale padi farming efforts has also been seen to be increasingly encouraging recently, and this development is given special attention.

"This includes the request to re-establish the Integrated Agricultural Development Area (AIDA) in Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor... that's why we need to produce satisfactory SSRs to ensure the country's rice supply," he said.

Earlier, Mohamad also visited the dairy farm and milk processing plant owned by Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd at F&N Agri Valley in Gemas, which provided a clear picture of how private investment can drive the development of local industries and support the country's food security agenda.

He also said the 2,000-acre (809.4 hectares) 713 dairy farm, developed in three phases, is equipped with modern facilities and the latest technology and is expected to produce up to 200 million litres of milk annually, with current production already reaching 40,000 litres of fresh milk per day.

“So far, it's in the first phase. We want to see more investments like this so that the country's dairy industry continues to grow…the people benefit directly, and Malaysia is better prepared to face future challenges," he added.

-- BERNAMA