Govt institutions to use imported white rice, so people can get the local variety, says Anwar

PADANG BESAR: The government has decided that its institutions, such as the military, police, schools, hostels, and hospitals, will use imported white rice from April onwards to enable the people to obtain local rice.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the people could get a sufficient supply of local rice if these institutions used imported white rice instead of the local variety.

“I have informed the secretary-general (Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security) to find a way to ensure that the local rice mills send supplies at least to FAMA (Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority) and LPP (Farmers’ Organisation Authority) offices so that it reaches the people, but is local rice enough? It’s insufficient because its production is limited.

“To further help the people get cheaper goods, the government has decided that starting today, April 1, all (rice) needs in the military, police, schools, hostels, and hospitals will use imported rice so that local cheap rice can be purchased by the people…thus easing their burden,” he said.

He said this when speaking at the Perlis-level Madani Breaking of Fast Ceremony at Masjid Nurul Huda Felda Chuping near here on Monday (April 1). Also present was Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli.

On March 25, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said that any government contract involving rice distribution would use imported white rice starting from April.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said his visit to Perlis on Monday was significant as his team also sought input and suggestions from the state government regarding efforts to develop the state and improve the standard of living of its people.

“I once again express my gratitude for the opportunity to make this working visit meaningful with the Speaker, state executive councillors, the Director-General of the ICU (Implementation and Coordination Unit, Prime Minister’s Department), and other senior officials from various ministries.

“It didn’t turn out to be a usual briefing session; usually, during visits, there’s a briefing, and then we leave, but we asked for input and suggestions from the state government. We’re doing this in most states. Perlis is the fifth state. Two days ago, it was in Sarawak.

“We focused on what projects are being implemented, what problems exist if there are delays, why? What are the complaints from the people, why couldn’t we address them properly, and what more can be done to make Perlis progress, whether in terms of tourism or overall economic development,” said the Prime Minister.

He also drew attention to the fact that despite the Perlis state government being of a different party, they have a close and very cooperative relationship with the federal government.

Earlier, during his brief visit to the state, Anwar chaired a briefing on Perlis’ development at the State Legislative Assembly Complex and visited the Persiaran Wawasan Ramadan Bazaar in Kangar. – BK