KUALA LUMPUR: There is sufficient rice in the national stockpile to last more than four months, says Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
In a written reply in Parliament, Mohamad said as of Feb 27, the physical stock of rice in the country stood at 881,554 metric tonnes, equivalent to 4.41 months of the country's needs.
From the total, 591,554 metric tonnes of rice are stocked in factories, wholesale and retail outlets.
"Imported rice makes up 32,627 metric tonnes, while local rice and padi stood at 107,540 metric tonnes."
He was responding to a question from Fathul Huzir Ayub (Perikatan Nasional-Gerik) who had asked the minister to explain its contingency plans to ensure sufficient supply of rice in the country.
Mohamad said the ministry had conducted Operasi Beras Putih Tempatan, Operasi Jamin and also issued a maximum purchase limit directive for local white rice buyers.
"Furthermore, the ministry is also implementing additional measures to ensure a guaranteed and stable distribution and supply of local white rice, including increasing the distribution of local white rice to suburban and rural areas by the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) and the Farmers' Organisation Authority," he said.
Mohamad added that they also provided a subsidy of RM950 per metric tonne for imported white rice for Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan, starting Oct 5, 2023.
"Padiberas Nasional Berhad, as the concessionaire, is being strengthened by ensuring that the obligations under the concession are complied with to ensure the sufficiency and availability of the country's rice supply," he added.