More local white rice stock added to avoid commotion at Fama outlets - Mat Sabu

SHAH ALAM - The Agriculture and Food Securities Ministry will discuss soon with suppliers and wholesalers the possibility of adding more local white rice stocks to Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) and Farmers' Organisation Board (LPP) outlets.

Its minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said it was to avoid commotions such as what happened in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, and Bagan Datoh, Perak, on Wednesday, from repeating themselves.

Commenting on the commotion, he said only two of the 35 Fama outlets experienced the issue.

“The two outlets were in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, and Bagan Datoh, Perak. The commotion was caused by stocks reaching the outlet being insufficient, causing some customers to feel unsatisfied after waiting for a long period,” he said.

He said this in a statement after observing the local white rice sale in the Agrobazaar Kedai Rakyat, owned by entrepreneurs guided by Fama, at Jalan Kebun Tambahan Section 30 here on Thursday.

Mohamad said he ordered the Paddy and Rice Regulatory Division (KPB) to immediately discuss with suppliers and wholesalers providing additional local white rice stocks to Fama and LPP so the incident does not repeat itself.

“I have ordered the immediate supply of local white rice to be immediately sent to all supermarkets to ensure it is not focused only on Fama and LPP outlets,” he said.

He added that the public was advised to purchase rice according to their needs and not to stock up more than what is needed to give other consumers a chance to purchase the rice.

“I was informed yesterday that some purchasers used four separate individuals to purchase eight sacks of 10 kilogrammes of rice, despite two being enough for families to use.

“Don’t worry because the local white rice stocks would be sent to supermarkets periodically, and the supply was expected to stabilise again in a few weeks,” he said.

He advised small businesses such as nasi lemak vendors and canteen managers, as well as tahfiz centres, to contact Fama and LPP to reserve the appropriate rice supply needed.

“Until now, Fama had distributed 244 metric tonnes of local white rice throughout the nation through Fama-led outlets.

“The ministry celebrates the orders of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim well towards Fama and LPP to distribute local white rice towards areas with an affected supply,” he added.