'Consider selling local rice to only Malaysians' - MCA youth

SHAH ALAM - The proposal by Umno Youth Chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh to limit the sale of local rice to only Malaysians is worth considering.

MCA national youth chief Datuk Nicole Wong Siaw Ting has said this, claiming that the scarcity of supplies in the market has led to an increase in the price of local rice, thereby adding to the burden of the people.

She said that the priority should be to ensure that the public is not burdened by the increasing cost of living.

"When certain groups are restricted or prohibited from buying it, the presence of local rice in the market will increase, making it easier for our people, especially those with low incomes.

"What's important is to ensure that our children and our neighbours' children are adequately nourished first," she said in a statement on Wednesday.

Recently, Dr Akmal suggested that the government should prioritise the sale of local rice to Malaysian citizens to address the staple food supply crisis.

He said that this step could stabilise the current rice supply crisis.

Nicole Wong added that Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu, however, was reluctant to delve into the proposal.

"He elaborated that foreigners also need to eat, which is seen as a 'simplistic' approach.

"For example, the rates and deposits for admission to government hospitals are much higher for foreigners compared to locals, even though everyone gets sick, and they also serve our country," she explained.