KUALA LUMPUR: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will work with the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to combat the issue of rice bag labels which have been changed to manipulate the price of rice.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said that although it is under the jurisdiction of the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry through the Padi and Rice Regulatory Division, it would also act when complaints are received.
"If there is a complaint we will look at it, but as of today we have not yet received any evidence on the matter (changing rice bag label from local to imported).
"In the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday (July 5), the two ministries discussed the matter to monitor and take action if the complaint is found to be true," he said when met after launching the Payung Rahmah Initiative with Jaya Grocer and Grab Malaysia at KL East Mall here on Thursday (July 6).
Earlier, there were media reports that a few rice wholesalers allegedly attempted to manipulate the control price set by the government by changing the rice bag label from local to imported in order to make a profit.
The tactic is believed to have been carried out because the price of imported rice is not controlled by the government and is floated, while the price of local rice is set at RM26 for a 10kg bag.
Regarding his previous proposal that cancer patients be allowed to buy special formula milk at the hospital at a cheaper price than the market, he said based on yesterday's cabinet meeting, the Health Ministry is agreeable to the proposal.
"Health Minister (Dr Zaliha Mustafa) said hospitals are open to the suggestion if there are customers who want to buy a type of milk. It will be further discussed," he said.
It is learned that the price of the special milk which used to be sold at RM78 has increased to RM94 now which indirectly puts a burden on needy patients.
Regarding the launch of the Payung Rahmah initiative with Jaya Grocer and Grab, the collaboration saw exclusive promotional offers through three initiatives on the Grab application platform.
Among other things, the initiative includes the Rahmah Package which is a mix-and-match package offer as low as RM18 at GrabFood, the Rahmah Sale involving discounts of up to 40% on exclusive daily necessities at Jaya Grocer through GrabMart and Bakul Rahmah to support Grab's disabled (OKU) driver community and delivery partner with basic necessities boxes. – Bernama
