By Iylia Marsya Iskandar, Nor Ain Mohamed Radhi

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has yet to decide on the proposed increase in the price of local white rice from RM2.60 to RM3.60 per kilogramme.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said they are currently conducting an impact assessment on the proposal, including on low-income consumers.

He explained that the proposal to increase the price was submitted by industry players to the ministry as a measure to ensure the padi and rice industry remains competitive.

“The ministry will soon present a proposal on the direction of white rice supply for the government’s consideration.

“The proposal will take into account padi and rice production costs, the review of controlled local white rice prices, market trends, the legal framework, and the impact on consumers as part of a comprehensive long-term solution to achieve balance in the padi and rice industry,” he said in a written parliamentary reply.

He assured that any decision regarding local white rice supply will take into consideration the interests of all stakeholders, including farmers, consumers, and industry players.

He was responding to Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kasim, who asked about the ministry’s objective in increasing the price of local white rice from RM2.60 to RM3.60 per kg, which would burden low-income consumers.

He also inquired whether the ministry plans to provide an incentive payment of RM200 per month before padi harvesting, in line with the proposal to raise the price of local rice.

Mohamad said the government had implemented the Special Cash Contribution Assistance (BKST) of RM600 for padi farmers in 2023 and 2024 as part of efforts to ease their cost of living burden.

He explained that the assistance was distributed in three monthly instalments of RM200 (for one planting season) but noted that no allocation has been provided by the government for this year.

“Nevertheless, the government continues to prioritise the implementation of long-term and sustainable initiatives that have a direct impact on farmers’ productivity and well-being.

“These include the continuation of subsidy programmes, the introduction of new incentives such as the Padi Harvesting Incentive of RM50 per hectare per season, and the adjustment of the Ploughing Incentive Rate for Farmers (IPKP) under the Padi Production Incentive Scheme (SIPP) from RM100 to RM160 per hectare per season,” he said.

Published Date: October 16, 2025