THE Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has begun selling imported rice at below market price at all Rahmah sales across the country.

Acting minister Armizan Mohd Ali said starting today, consumers will be able to purchase 5kg of imported rice at a price not exceeding RM15 and a 10kg bag at a price below RM30 at any Rahmah sales in their area.

He said this was decided at the National Action Council on Cost of Living meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Wednesday, as a measure to manage the temporary disruption of local rice supply and increase in the price of imported rice. 

“The price of imported rice offered is cheaper than what is sold in the market, which is usually priced at RM35 to RM40 and more, for the retail sector.

“This is our effort to help the Agriculture and Food Security Minister deal with the shortage of local rice and the increase in prices of imported rice in the market. This a short-term measure, we believe that the ministry has mid and long-term solutions,” he said.

Armizan said this at a media conference at the Rahmah sales at Dataran Simpang Pelangai today, which was also attended by Pahang Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee chairman Sim Chon Siang.

He said the decision to sell imported rice at more affordable prices at the sales was taken to prevent the programme, which is held in all state constituencies across the country, from disrupting the supply of local rice in the market.

“So let us source imported rice but sell it at Rahmah prices, we don’t want to cause more disruption to the supply of local rice in the retail sector,” he said. – Bernama, September 22, 2023.