The Malaysian government is yet to decide on the proposal to increase local white rice price from RM2.60(Malaysian ringgit) to RM3.60 per kilogramme. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu reportedly said that the government is conducting an impact assessment on the proposal to raise the price of local white rice, including on low-income consumers.
Agriculture further explained that the proposal to increase the white rice price was submitted by industry players to the ministry as a measure to ensure the padi and rice industry remains competitive. “The ministry will soon present a proposal on the direction of white rice supply for the government’s consideration.
The Proposal to Raise Local White Rice Price will Consider Padi and Rice Production Costs
In his written parliamentary reply to agriculture minister said that the proposal to raise white rice price will consider padi and rice production costs, the review of controlled local white rice prices, market trends, the legal framework, and the impact on consumers as part of a comprehensive long-term solution.
He further assured that any decision regarding local white rice supply will take into consideration the interests of all stakeholders, including farmers, consumers, and industry players. While responding to Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kasim on his questions of the ministry’s objective in increasing the price of local white rice from RM2.60 to RM3.60 per kg, which would burden low-income consumers, the agriculture minister said that the ministry plans to provide an incentive payment of RM200 per month before padi harvesting. He also said that said the government had implemented the Special Cash Contribution Assistance (BKST) of RM600 for padi farmers in 2023 and 2024 as part of efforts to ease their cost-of-living burden.
Notably, the assistance was provided in three monthly installments of RM200 (for one planting season), however he added that no such allocation has been provided by the government for this year.