PASIR Gudang MP Hassan Karim has urged the government to immediately help residents in his constituency. 

The outspoken PKR lawmaker said people in Pasir Gudang lacked daily necessities, adding that help could come in the form of Jualan Rahmah initiatives or food supplies sent to the area. 

“I am currently overseeing the people’s condition, and they are angry; there is no rice, no cooking oil, no sugar, and no eggs. 

“I hope that the ministry will help us in Pasir Gudang; the people are in need of aid from the government. 

“There has never been a case where the people are cut off from the supply of daily necessities like what they are facing right now,” he posted on Facebook. 

The Star also reported Hassan as saying one of the affected areas is Taman Scientex, where members of the public reportedly quarrelled with sundry shop owners over lack of supplies. 

On September 1, Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) had adjusted the price of imported rice nationwide from RM2,350 a tonne to RM3,200 a tonne in line with the latest price of imported white rice in the international market. 

To address the surge in demand for local white rice, the government has taken measures to increase the domestic supply of local white rice by asking rice producers in the northern zone to ramp up production by 20% and supply it to the government through Bernas. 

Last week, the ministry gave its assurances that the country had more than a month’s stockpile of local white rice and a trading stock of about six months for imported white rice. 

LPP director-general Azulita Salim reportedly said from April to August 2023, a total of 62 programmes had been implemented at LPP branches nationwide with a sales value of RM742,361.50 and a total of 45,850 visitors. 

“LPP aims for a sales value of RM1.59 million and 53,000 visitors by December this year through the Agro Madani Sales,” she said. 

LPP will also involve 40 selected farmers’ outlets, targeting 300 metric tonnes of local white rice at a controlled price to stabilise supply nationwide. – September 23, 2023.