I'm answerable to PM - Mat Sabu says on local white rice shortage

Summary

• Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu says he would only discuss the local white rice shortage issue with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

• This comes after National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol) Task Force (Food Cluster) chairperson Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal rebuked the minister for allegedly failing to act.

• Mohamad emphasises that the government cannot announce anything without a detailed study.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu said he would discuss the local white rice shortage issue with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

“We are holding stakeholders’ engagement and I will answer whatever questions regarding the matter at the Parliament, in addition to speaking to the premier.

“The prime minister serves as the National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol) chairperson.

“And with his guidance, we will make the necessary changes,” he said at a press conference after officiating the Amanah National Convention in Klang, Selangor earlier today.

On Jan 21, National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol) Task Force (Food Cluster) chairperson Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal accused Mohamad of failing to act on the shortage of local white rice.

“I’m very disappointed as we couldn’t resolve this problem for two years. The people are asking where has the local white rice gone.

“But nobody could answer it… perhaps, they deliberately don’t want to.

“As the task force special officer, I have asked Mohamad four times in Parliament to come to discuss the matter but the discussion never happened,” he lamented.

Following the process

As a result, Syed Hussin urged the government to empower Naccol to deal with the matter - without interference from the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry and its agency, Kawalselia Padi dan Beras Negara.

Mohamad assured the public that he would address the local white rice shortage issue at the next Parliament sitting.

The Amanah president added that he would meet Anwar on the first week of the Dewan Rakyat sitting, scheduled for February.

“We cannot simply announce anything without a thorough study.

“Of course, we will discuss this and follow the necessary process,” he added.

It should be noted that on Nov 9, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Deputy Minister Fuziah Salleh said Anwar will expose the rice and paddy cartel which has been profiting from people’s misery while monopolising the food item.

However, the prime minister has yet to make any announcement to date.

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