NACCOL seeks clarity on specific imported rice grades impacted by price cut
Confusion over specific grades affected by BPI price reduction
SHAH ALAM – The National Action Council for Cost of Living (NACCOL) Task Force has urged the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to provide a comprehensive explanation regarding the types of imported white rice (BPI) grades whose prices the council has agreed to reduce from approximately RM2 to RM3 in the market.
NACCOL Chairman Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal expressed this need, noting that the discussion during the NACCOL meeting on Tuesday lacked clarity on the matter.
However, all stakeholders have endorsed the proposed measures outlined by Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas).
"This is because imported white rice in the local market is priced differently based on their grades.
"So, which grades of imported white rice will see a reduction from RM2 to RM3? Does it apply to all grades? The Ministry needs to clarify this," he told Sinar yesterday.
He made these remarks in response to a statement by the Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, regarding the decrease in retail prices of BPI from RM2 to RM3 in the market, effective Wednesday.
Currently, the retail price of BPI in the market ranges from RM38 to RM45 for a 10-kg pack.
With the announcement of the new price adjustment, the expected retail price of BPI for the same pack drops to RM35.
The latest decision from the NACCOL meeting is believed to have been made to address the people's needs, especially in anticipation of the upcoming Aidilfitri festival season in April.
On other updates, Syed Abu Hussin clarified that the NACCOL meeting has yet to determine whether the Task Force (Food Cluster) proposal to raise the floor price of local rice purchases from RM1,300 to RM1,500 per metric ton will be approved soon.
The proposal was put forward by his party to safeguard local farmers from the potential impact of a downward trend in global rice prices.
In addition to the proposal to raise the floor price of rice, he also suggested providing farmers with an additional subsidy of RM200 per metric ton of rice sold to the government.
