Over five million bags of rice lost to floods this year, says Arthur

KUALA LUMPUR: Floods have severely affected Malaysia's rice production this year, with about 5.3 million 10kg bags of potential harvest "lost" to date, says Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup. "This year's floods are exceptionally severe and affected our nation's rice production. "Until now, we have lost 5.3 million 10kg bags of rice due to the floods affecting our...

Rice shortage due to floods to be addressed with imported rice price reduction, says Mat Sabu

PASIR MAS: The shortage of rice supply after the padi farming industry was affected by floods will addressed by reducing the price of imported white rice, effective on Sunday (Dec 1). Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu (pic) said that the shortage was inevitable as padi farming has been the most severely affected...

Negri Sembilan introduces ‘Perpatih’ rice to meet local needs

NILAI: The Negri Sembilan government on Thursday (Aug 1) introduced its own rice brand named 'Perpatih' to meet local demand and further develop the rice industry in the state, said senior exco Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias. Jalaluddin, who is also the State Agriculture, Food Security and Cost of Living Committee chairman, said the rice supply is...

Consumers cross fingers for smooth supply

JOHOR BARU: Consumers here hope there will be enough supply of essential goods to cater to the high demand throughout the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration. Housewife Seri Sulastry Minhaj said many families began stocking up for Hari Raya as early as mid-Ramadan. “Some of my friends have also done the same, as they are worried that items...

Inter-ministerial talk to be held to discuss ceiling price for rice

IPOH: Discussions will be held among ministries on the call to raise the ceiling price for rice, says Datuk Mohamad Sabu. The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said the discussion would take into consideration all parties involved in the rice supply chain, especially farmers. “The current ceiling price was last reviewed in 2008 and there have been...

Rice mill allegedly hoarding 180 tonnes of local rice busted

ALOR SETAR: Authorities confiscated 180 tonnes of local white rice, worth an estimated RM405,000, found hidden in a rice mill in the state. Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said an inspection at the mill found the Local Super Special 5% (SST5) concealed in undisclosed storage inside jumbo containers on Monday (Oct...

M’sia to call on Asean’s main rice supplier nations to prioritise member countries

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will call on Asean's main rice supplier nations to give priority to exporting the staple food to member countries at the 45th Asean Ministers' Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF). Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Chan Foong Hin said the matter would be raised during the bilateral discussion sessions with the countries...

Sarawak taking steps to boost padi production, says state minister

KUCHING: Sarawak is looking into ways to increase padi production to boost its rice self-sufficiency level, says Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom. The Sarawak Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister said a meeting with Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg would be held on Tuesday (Oct 3) to find the best solutions...

Gov’t doing its best to tackle rice issue, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic) assured that the government is not sitting idle and will do everything in its power to ease the burden of the people affected by the current increase in global rice prices. He said this included the various intervention measures announced by Agriculture and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri...

Putrajaya wants to meet Indian govt over ban on export of non-basmati white rice, says Mat Sabu

JOHOR BARU: Putrajaya wants to meet with the Indian government over its ban on the export of non-basmati white rice, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu (pic). The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said his ministry is reaching out to its Indian counterpart to obtain a suitable date for a government-to-government meeting. “When they planned on ceasing the...