By ZAKIAH KOYA and KHOO GEK SAN.

400,000 households to benefit from 2.4 million 10kg bags for half a year

PUTRAJAYA: For the next six months, the government will ensure that even the hardcore poor will be able to afford good-quality local white rice, says padi and rice regulatory director-general Datuk Badrul Hisham Mohd (pic).

The Agriculture and Food Secu­rity Ministry deputy secretary- general stated that from March 1 to Aug 31, a total of 2.4 million bags of 10kg of subsidised local white rice, priced at RM26 per bag, will be available across Penin­sular Malaysia.

“The initiative is targeted at 400,000 low-income and hardcore poor households, with a purchase limit of two bags per household.

“This programme marks the first phase of the RM150mil targeted subsidy initiative, aimed at ensuring that local white rice remains affordable for those who need it most,” said Badrul Hisham.

He assured that the supply of subsidised rice would be sufficient for B40 households, with strict enforcement measures in place to prevent misuse.

He said that besides digital tagging and tracking of the bags of rice, the Malaysian Agri-Food Reg­u­latory and Enforcement Agen­­cy (Marea) – set up by the Cabinet on Feb 7 – will monitor daily the sale of rice at points of sale at 39,000 grocery shops nationwide.

“We believe this stock of local rice will be enough for everyone, especially those in need.

“I believe the people in this lower-income group of B40 and poorer rely entirely on cheaper rice in the market,” he told The Star.

Citing research data, he revea­l­ed that 400,000 heads of households (KIR) depended on affordable rice, including 77,000 hardcore poor households.

“We are now reaching them through designated and assisted distribution channels,” he added.

To ensure smooth distribution and prevent manipulation, Bad­rul Hisham said enforcement teams will work round the clock seven days a week, using a special tracking system to monitor the supply chain.

“By implementing this program­me, we can ensure the rice supply reaches those who truly need it, without manipulation by any party,” he said.

Bad­rul Hisham called for public cooperation to prevent hoarding or abuse of the subsidy.

“Please leave this rice for those in need. Do not attempt to mani­pulate or disrupt this program­me,” he said, his message aimed at those who can afford to buy non-subsidised rice – be it local or imported rice.

Earlier, at a media conference held at Wisma Tani yesterday, Bad­rul Hisham announced that the ministry has introduced artificial intelligence (AI) technology to track subsidised local white rice in real time.

He explained that the initiative was aimed at tackling rice shorta­ges in the market and preventing exploitation by irresponsible parties.

“This tracking system, develop­ed by a local company, will trace every movement of such rice from point A to point B.

“A 24-hour monitoring war room has also been set up to oversee the distribution of subsidised rice.

“It works like a QR code but is far more advanced. However, we cannot reveal further details at this time.

“I cannot guarantee a 100% foolproof system, as weaknesses may exist here and there.

“However, with 1,200 Marea officers overseeing enforcement, combined with AI technology, we believe we can control the stock,” he said.

For the past two years, subsidised local white rice has remain­ed scarce despite the government’s ongoing efforts to reform the rice industry.

Local white rice is a controlled essential food item, whereas impor­ted rice is not.

The cost of production has increased for local white rice production and Badrul Hisham calls this subsidisation of the local white rice for the poor as “the gift to the needy from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim”.

Previously, Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh suggested that a cartel may be influencing the industry, possibly exploiting its dominant position to control seed supply and imports.

Meanwhile, to mark the launch of this initiative, a special sale of 10,000 10kg bags of subsidised local white rice will be held in Kedah at the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) event on Feb 27.

Published Date: February 26, 2025