Sunday May 4, 2008
Rice bowl state runs out of grain
ALOR STAR: Subsidised local rice is said to be no longer available in the state and the Government has directed an investigation into the matter.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Samad, who called on the Control of Padi and Rice Division to do so, said he wanted to know why such rice was no longer available.
“I have asked the division (which comes under the Agriculture and Agrobased Industry Ministry) to check.
“On matters concerning rice, the Consumer Affairs Ministry's enforcement unit can only assist the division,” he said when contacted yesterday.
He said this when responding to complaints from Kedah consumers and traders that they could no longer get the local (ST) super grade rice.
ST, which contains 15% broken grains, is the cheapest rice available. The controlled price of the ST grade rice is between RM16.50 and RM17.50 for a 10kg packet.
Agricuture and Agrobased Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed has directed Bernas to ensure there’s enough supply of local super grade rice.
He said Bernas had an obligation to ensure the price-controlled item was available to consumers at all times.
“It was part of the conditions imposed on Bernas upon privatisation,” he said.
He has also directed the deputy secretary-general of the Agriculture Department to check the situation in Kedah.
“The situation is probably because the demand for the cheaper rice has increased in view of escalating prices for other grades of rice. Furthermore, the ST grade is also used for bee hoon production.”
Consumers Association of Kedah (Cake) president Datuk Yusoff Ismail said it was crucial to ensure there was enough stock of ST grade rice as it catered to the lower income group.
He also called on the authorities to check the indiscriminate increase in the price of other grades and types of rice that are currently not controlled.
Yusoff said the price of rice had gone up between RM2 and RM5 per 10kg packet.
He added that he had also received complaints that the price of flour and noodles had also increased.
A spokesman from the Control of Padi and Rice Division said there was little demand for the ST grade rice previously.
“But now, because of the increase in the price of other types of rice, people are starting to demand for it.
“We will direct the factories to start supplying ST grade rice to cater to the demand,” he said.
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