Buzzing with activity: Anwar visiting the booth at the Madani Cheapest Sales programme in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
BUKIT MERTAJAM: The government will finalise the price of rice next week after a special meeting of the National Action Council for Cost of Living (Naccol) where the “Madani white rice” category will be discussed.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he is confident the price of rice could be lowered, which would alleviate the burden on the people.
He said the meeting, which had earlier been scheduled to be held on Monday, has been postponed to next week.
“We will decide on the control price for rice during the meeting,” he said during his speech at the Madani sales programme at Bandar Perda here yesterday.
The “Madani white rice” category is set to replace the local and imported white rice categories in the market.
The government, Anwar said, will thoroughly examine details of other essential commodities as well before any decision is finalised.
Also present at the programme were Naccol chairman Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal and Tanjong Karang MP Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi.
Syed Abu Hussin had announced earlier this week that the price of a 10kg sack of Madani white rice would be RM30.
In addition, a 5kg sack would cost RM15.50 while a 1kg bag of rice would be priced at RM3.50.
The prices, he said, would come into effect on March 1.
However, this would be subject to government approval.
Earlier yesterday, Anwar mingled with the public and visited stalls selling various essential goods, including rice and other items.
