GEORGE TOWN: It is time for the state government to be given the autonomy to control its own rice production, says agrotechnology, food security and cooperative development committee chairman Fahmi Zainol.
Fahmi said among the reasons why there is a shortage of rice is the fact that several “irresponsible parties” have manipulated the price of padi seeds.
A check by The Star at several eateries in George Town found that although there was an increase in the price of rice and a shortage of local white rice, most operators had not increased their menu prices. “Normally, we cook about 90kg of rice per day and for the past few weeks, our supply has been decreasing.
He said that currently a plate of white rice only costs RM1 and he will continue to charge the same price if the supply of local white rice is sufficient.