El Nino: Govt has yet to make decision on price increase for rice

KOTA KINABALU - The government has yet to make a decision on the price of rice at this time, despite media reports today that there will be a price hike next month due to a shortage of supplies as a result of the El Nino phenomenon typically associated with hot weather.

In this regard, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said his ministry is prepared to face any impact due to the heatwave including the price of rice.

"Now, we have asked our officers to obtain information from MAFS (Agriculture and Food Security Ministry), so we should get it hopefully by late evening, and the rumour is that there will not be an increase.

"My ministry and MAFS will exchange notes as soon as possible today regarding this matter. We will then issue a statement," he told reporters after launching the "Misi Rahmah Economi Sempadan Malaysia-Brunei" programme at the Petronas Dagangan Bhd Depot in Sepanggar Bay here.

The programme sees the supply of 150 tonnes of unsubsidised Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from Malaysia to Brunei between June 16 and July 1.

Today, the media reported that Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd (Mydin) managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin claimed that there would be a price hike of RM1 and RM2 per bag on various types of rice, next month.

Ameer Ali also attributed the increase in the price of local white rice due to the shortage of supplies as a result of the recent heatwave that affected last season's padi harvest, but he added that supply is expected to stabilise by September. - BERNAMA