KUALA LUMPUR: The government has not made any decision on introducing a single category of white rice known as the Malaysia Madani white rice, says Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
"At this point, no decision has been made on Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Faisal's proposal."
Syed Abu Hussin is the chairman of the National Action Council for Cost of Living (NACCOL) food cluster task force.
Earlier this week, the Bukit Gantang member of Parliament said the government will introduce the Malaysia Madani white rice priced at RM30 for a 10 kg sack on Feb 19, which is expected to be available in the market starting from March 1.
He said this would mean there will no longer be local white rice (SST) and imported white rice (SSI) categories, adding that the Malaysia Madani white rice will be the sole category.
Several quarters have raised questions over the Malaysia Madani white rice initiative and urged the government to clarify the matter.
Mohamad today said his ministry agreed with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's statement that the proposal should be discussed collectively at the coming NACCOL meeting next week.
"Any decision or announcement made must be in accordance with the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994 and the Cabinet must be informed beforehand."