Where S The Local Rice Mp Points Out Rakyat Can T Even Find It In Stores

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PARLIAMENT | Muslimin Yahaya (PN-Sungai Besar) has questioned the whereabouts of locally produced rice, dismissing a deputy minister’s claim that it was not in demand.
He said such a statement was shocking, particularly for communities struggling to find the staple in stores.
“I was shocked by the deputy minister’s response saying local rice doesn’t sell. This is surprising to people like us on the ground.
“I’ve received complaints that it’s difficult to get local rice in supermarkets, grocery shops and the like,” he said during the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in the Dewan Rakyat today.
“People don’t see local rice anywhere, except at the Rahmah sale. And even then, they say the rice is of poor quality or stale.
“Where has the 1.4 million metric tonnes of local rice produced annually gone?” he asked.
On July 31, Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh told the Dewan Rakyat that certain narratives were being played up to suggest rising prices were burdening the public.
Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah SallehInstead, she claimed that local rice was not selling.
“Previously, people made a fuss over the unavailability of local rice, accusing the government of failing to provide it.
“But when it’s widely available in supermarkets, it doesn’t sell. Even at the Rahmah sale, local rice isn’t selling,” she said.
Her remarks drew criticism from the opposition, who described them as inaccurate and out of touch.
Rice quality issue
Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut) urged the government to review the quality of local rice in the market.
“I was shocked that the deputy minister in charge of cost of living said local rice doesn’t sell. MasyaAllah, I want to ask – has the deputy minister listened to the people’s complaints? Does she know the quality of rice being sold? Does she understand that the people, too, know about rice quality?
“Don’t speak carelessly without considering the rakyat’s needs. This kind of behaviour is what causes public frustration,” he said.
Larut MP Hamzah ZainudinIdris Ahmad (PN-Bagan Serai) echoed the concerns, noting that local rice is only sold in 10kg packs, which many cannot afford.
ADSIncentives for farmers
Muslimin also demanded clarification on the incentives for paddy farmers announced last year.
He said the incentives were introduced in May 2024, with ploughing assistance increased from RM100 to RM160 per hectare, and harvesting incentives promised at RM50 per hectare - with some 130,000 farmers nationwide as beneficiaries.
“Based on that, farmers were supposed to receive RM210 per hectare per season.
“But it’s been a year, and it still hasn’t been implemented. Only now, after pressure from paddy farmer associations, has the government agreed to act.
“I want the government to explain whether it will distribute the incentives, including arrears dating back to May last year,” he added. - Mkini

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