PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday warned that parties found hoarding rice would be brought to court.

He said he had ordered Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu to monitor the situation and take action against violators.

“Yes, there are complaints from people everywhere. The price of rice in Indonesia has also gone up. President Jokowi said was because 18 rice supplying countries have blocked, stopped or reduced their rice exports, so there is a demand and supply issue.

“And there there are those who hoard rice. Anyone who dares to capitalise on the people’s misery will face the full brunt of the law,” he said at Dataran Simpang Pelangai on the Pelangai state by-election campaign trail in Bentong.

Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and BN candidate for Pelangai Amizar Abu Adam were present at the event.

The prime minister had earlier agreed that the government would intervene to resolve the issue of rice supply. One of the measures it would take was to launch a special integrated enforcement task force for white rice.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said time was needed to address the problem.

“We try but can the issue be 100% resolved? No, the issue of rice is a serious issue. Therefore, I say to give it a week. If it is not resolved, we will continue discussions before tabling the 2024 Budget on October 13.

“For rice, we are going to increase the subsidy to RM400 million for a few months. The rice issue is not limited to the peninsula; Sabah and Sarawak are also affected,” he said when speaking at Dataran Niaga Felda Chemomoi in Bentong last night. 

Anwar said the RM400 million subsidy would enable army camps, the police and school hostels to buy imported rice to free up the supply of local rice for the market. – Bernama, October 3, 2023.