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Cartels won't benefit from proposed Madani rice programme, Anwar insists | Scoop
The Malaysia Madani white rice programme involves the combination of imported and local white rice into a single category. – Scoop pic, February 19, 2024
News

Cartels won’t benefit from proposed Madani rice programme, Anwar insists

Initiative will in fact block such groups from intervening in market, says prime minister

Scoop Reporters
Updated
6:41 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has brushed aside speculation that the proposed Malaysia Madani white rice programme will benefit cartels.

Instead, the prime minister said such an initiative would prevent any intervention of rice cartels in the market. 

“No, (it would not benefit). We are instead blocking cartel intervention,” he briefly told reporters after launching the Maybank myimpact SME Hub at Menara Maybank, here, this afternoon.

Anwar was responding to a question posed by a reporter regarding the possibility of the programme benefitting rice cartels instead of the public.

However, acknowledging that the initiative was still a proposal, Anwar said it would be discussed at the next meeting of the National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol).

Earlier today, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh said he was opposed to the idea of introducing the rice programme, which involves the combination of imported and local white rice into a single category. 

Dr Akmal said Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz’s proposal on the matter would only benefit a few companies that were dominating the rice market.

The Umno politician said the government should focus on improving local rice instead of benefiting the cartels and burdening the public.

Yesterday, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said a special Naccol meeting, to be chaired by Anwar, would be held this Friday to discuss cost of living issues, especially the rice supply in the country.

Armizan said his ministry, as the Naccol secretariat, had received confirmation from the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry that the issue of the country’s rice supply would be one of the matters to be raised for discussion. 

Armizan said that any official announcements regarding the country’s rice supply would be made by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, or a designated representative after decisions were reached by Naccol.

On Saturday, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil lauded Syed Abu Hussin’s good intentions in bringing forward the Madani white rice proposal, but said there needed to be better coordination and engagement with industry players and other stakeholders prior to any announcements.

Fahmi, who is also unity government spokesman, said Syed Abu Hussin intended to help lower the prices of goods; however, concerns raised by millers and retailers had to be better addressed.

Earlier, agriculture minister Mohamad reiterated that the government had yet to reach a decision on the proposal to establish a single grade of white rice in the country, which will be named Malaysia Madani white rice. – February 19, 2024

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