SERDANG: Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said that discussions regarding the proposal to increase the ceiling price of local white rice (BPT) were still ongoing and will take a few more months before reaching a decision.
"These discussions are ongoing and wait a few more months, we will make a decision," he told reporters after launching the Food Security Blueprint at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) today.
Also present at the event were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir, Higher Education director-general Professor Dr Azlinda Azman, and UPM vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah.
Last November, Mohamad said that the government would review a proposal by the Padi and Rice Regulatory Division to increase the ceiling price of local white rice to protect the future of all parties in the food production chain, especially rice farmers .
Meanwhile, he said that the rice supply remained relatively stable.
However, he emphasised that the reliance on imported rice, currently around 38 per cent, would impact price fluctuations.
"Right now, the supply of rice is quite stable; however, as long as we still import it, there will be price fluctuations.
"In addition to the current climate change phenomenon, it is one of the real and serious threats not only in Malaysia but everywhere," he added.
Mohamad added that the ministry was continuously monitoring the situation in Kelantan due to the prolonged drought, which is expected to affect agricultural products.