Over 2.6m bags of local white rice distributed since March 1 - Mat Sabu

A total of 2,621,248 bags of local white rice have been distributed throughout the peninsula since March 1, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu.

He said the rice supply had been distributed to almost all supermarkets and mini-markets in urban areas throughout the peninsula.

"The rice may have not reached some areas in the interior. We hope the Regional Farmers' Organisation will play a role so that we can expedite where it has not yet arrived.

"Our machinery will try to (distribute) including to distributors such as businessmen so that they can deliver to the community for consumers to buy at a cheaper price, especially in the interior areas," he told reporters at the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry's Engagement Programme with Farmer Leaders in Perak yesterday.

Mohamad said the number is targeted to be increased to 24 million bags over the next five months.

On Feb 25, the media reported that the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry had guaranteed that 24 million 10kg bags of subsidised local white rice would be in the market throughout the peninsula starting March 1.

- Bernama

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