Government To Introduce Malaysia MADANI Rice Starting 1 March
According to a BERNAMA report, MADANI rice may soon be the sole category of white rice in Malaysia.
The government is set to launch Malaysia MADANI white rice, which is expected to be available in the market starting from 1 March
Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, the chairman of the task force (food cluster) under the National Action Council for Cost of Living, announced that the Malaysia MADANI white rice will be the only category of white rice available in Malaysia, reported BERNAMA.
Consequently, it is claimed that the previous categories of local white rice (SST) and imported white rice (SSI) will no longer exist in the country.
This means that local white rice and imported white rice will still be sold, but not as separate categories.
Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz also mentioned that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has approved the introduction of the Malaysia MADANI white rice.
Image via Parlimen Malaysia/Malaysiakini
He said industry players must update the labelling and packaging of rice sacks to comply with the new regulations by 1 March
He said stakeholders can continue to sell white rice in the previous packaging until their existing stocks are all sold out. However, he emphasised that the packages must be affixed with the Malaysia MADANI white rice price sticker.
"What we are doing here is to offer a more comfortable price for the people. This adjustment is made by the industry to provide appropriate pricing and availability in the market for all," he said.
Following that, Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz also mentioned that the retail price for local white rice is RM2.60 per kg as stipulated under the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994 (Act 522).
However, the price for a 1kg sack of Malaysia MADANI white rice is set at RM3.50, which represents an increase of 90 sen from the price stipulated under the act.
He pointed out that rice prices have remained unchanged for 18 years, and that farmers would find the new ceiling price more favourable.
He also stated that the MADANI rice is set at RM15.50 for a 5kg sack and expressed hope that the industry will maintain the RM30 price for a 10kg sack.
He further mentioned that setting the ceiling price for the Malaysia MADANI white rice aims to deter manufacturers from mixing local and imported white rice to sell them as expensive brands
"It stems from the absence of price controls for imported white rice supplies, causing the prices to remain high, coupled with the rise in the global rice prices," he said.
"This has resulted in local white rice labels being changed to imported white rice, making it difficult to find in the market," he added.
Image via Bernama
Following the announcement, Mydin hypermarket managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin has urged the government to explain the decision to abolish the SST and SSI categories
"It's impossible for the government to eliminate SSI because it's imported rice. What will happen to SSI?" FMT quoted him as saying.
"It's impossible to lower the price of SSI from RM40 per 10kg to RM30. This will lead to a shortage in the market. The industry needs an explanation," he added.
Ameer also inquired whether the sale of SST and SSI categories would be entirely discontinued. Nonetheless, he expressed gratitude to the government for announcing the competitive price of RM30 per 10kg for Malaysia MADANI white rice.
Meanwhile, Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, Selangor (Cassa) president Jacob George questioned whether stakeholders were consulted before the government decided to abolish the SST and SSI categories.
He also hoped to hear from the government before drawing any conclusions and urged for clarity on whether the announcement was made solely in Syed Hussin's interests or as a response to address the issue at its root.
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