THE Dewan Rakyat today raised concern over domestic rice shortage and raised prices for imported rice when debating the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) mid-term review.

Wee Jeck Seng (BN-Tanjung Piai) urged the government to take immediate action to address the 38% shortage in rice supply for local consumption.

He said the country faced fierce competition from Indonesia, which has a 42% shortage in its local supply, and the Philippines, the largest rice importer in Southeast Asia, with imports valued at US$1.3 billion (RM6.1 billion) in 2021.

“The Indian government has also restricted rice exports, which caused the selling price of imported rice nationwide to increase from RM2,350 per tonne to RM3,200 per tonne on September 1, 2023 – an increase of 36%.

“This price hike will make it more difficult for the B40 and M40 groups to obtain their daily carbohydrate needs,” he said.

Wee suggested the government import rice from countries such as Vietnam, Thailand and Pakistan before the shortage grows more dire.

Muhyiddin Yassin (PN-Pagoh) said the government must establish price controls so it does not become too expensive.

“Let’s not forget that many have become impoverished after the pandemic. Although eKasih data showed the number of registered households reduced from 124,744 to 118,217 in May, with the excessive increase in … prices of food items and daily necessities such as rice, I doubt the government’s target to eradicate hardcore poverty this year will bring any meaning to the people.

“Is the line used to determine the poverty status of households still realistic, taking into account the increased prices of goods and the inflation rate?” he asked.

Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan) urged the government to increase rice supplies to meet the needs of the people.

He asked the government to survey imported rice prices to ensure they were not too high.

The issue was also raised by Doris Sophia Brodi (GPS-Sri Aman), who suggested the government focus on increasing rice cultivation.

“Why is our country, Malaysia, with fertile land, vast forests and a suitable climate, not advancing in agriculture, including livestock farming? We still depend on other countries to obtain food supplies such as rice. What happened to the national rice bowl project?” she said.

She said the Batang Lupar Rice Bowl project in Sarawak covers an area of 5,100ha, but only 196ha was in use while the rest of the site is still under construction.

She said this was in contrast to the Kota Belud Rice Project in Sabah – established around the same time as the Batang Lupar project – which has a larger area and has contributed yields. – Bernama, September 13, 2023.