The government considers importing rice from Pakistan to stabilize supply and pricing

The administration is considering importing white rice from Pakistan to solve supply and price issues.

Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, head of a government committee on food pricing, stated that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had agreed to the plan.

He added that Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) had received the proposal for review but had not yet made a decision.

“I accompanied the prime minister to Pakistan, where 28 exporters expressed readiness to supply 100,000 tonnes of rice to us,” stated the premier.

During his visit to Pakistan on October 3, Anwar expressed the government’s desire to import the rice but emphasized the importance of further study, particularly on price systems.

Anwar also discussed the potential of importing meat from Pakistan.

Syed Hussin, who is also the Bukit Gantang MP, reiterated his suggestion to establish a uniform price grade for white rice to prevent price manipulation in the local market.

“This measure would put an end to the practice of mixing local and imported rice and selling it at higher prices, despite the fact that the ceiling price for local rice is RM26,” he said, adding that he planned to bring the issue up in the Dewan Rakyat.