THE Agriculture and Food Security Ministry will propose the use of subsidised imported rice at government premises such as hospitals, police training centres, military camps and school hostels, to allow for more local rice to be in the market.

Minister Mohamad Sabu said he will discuss the matter with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is finance minister, on Monday.

He said the move is expected to restore higher availability of local rice in the market.

“The establishements will buy imported rice at a (subsidised) price that is not high, maybe between RM32 and RM35 per bag,” he said after participating in the Sembang Santai Perpaduan talk in Simpang Pelangai last night.

Meanwhile, Mohamad said India is expected to make the decision on whether the country will allow white rice to continue to be exported to Malaysia next week. – Bernama, September 29, 2023.