The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, announced that the purchase limit for 10kg bags of subsidized local white rice (controlled price RM26) has been increased from the previous 2 bags to 5 bags per purchase.
He said that the government decided to relax the purchase limit after considering current demands, especially the needs of heads of households from impoverished families.
“Previously, the public kept asking where to find local white rice? But when we flooded the market with local white rice, there wasn't a buying frenzy because the price of imported white rice also went down.”
According to Mohamad Sabu, the current price of imported white rice can be as low as RM32 to RM34 for 10kg, which is a significant difference compared to the previous high of RM40. As a result, people were searching everywhere for local white rice at that time.
He stated this to the media after the department's monthly assembly.
Although rice prices are not expensive in the market, Mohamad Sabu also encouraged the public to buy more local white rice, otherwise, it may spoil if stored for too long.
Previously, during a speech to the assembly, Mohamad Sabu pointed out that as of April, 3.16 million bags of 10kg subsidized white rice had been distributed to more than 47,000 registered retail stores nationwide.
“The states of Selangor, Kedah, Perak, and Johor have the highest food distribution volume. This measure is an important initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food to ensure the stability of rice supply for the people.”
Regarding the price levels during this year's Hari Raya, Mohamad Sabu said they remained stable. “The Cabinet even praised it, stating that it was the most well-controlled pricing in history.”
“Throughout the month of Ramadan and the Hari Raya celebrations, we witnessed a stable market for essential goods. Prices of chicken, eggs, vegetables, fish, and meat remained controllable and affordable, with no sudden price spikes that burdened consumers.”
Additionally, he mentioned that the Hari Raya Promotion 2025 held from March 22 to 30 achieved RM21.43 million in sales, surpassing the original target of RM20 million.
He said the event allowed consumers to buy essential Hari Raya items at affordable prices while also helping to increase the income of farmers and agri-food entrepreneurs ahead of the festive season.
Mohamad Sabu mentioned that the event was held at 262 locations across the country, including agricultural markets, permanent agricultural markets, rural transformation centers (RTC), and the Medan Niaga Satok Sunday market in Kuching, Sarawak, with a total of 9,005 local vendors participating.
During the Hari Raya celebrations, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security also organized an open house, but Mohamad Sabu reminded the public not to waste food.
“According to the solid waste management corporation (Swcorp), up to 90,000 tons of uneaten food were discarded during the 2023 Ramadan.”