KUALA LUMPUR: The government is evaluating a proposal to import white rice from Pakistan as a strategic move to stabilize both supply and prices amid ongoing challenges in the rice market.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, chairman of the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL) Task Force (Food Cluster), has submitted the proposal to Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS) with the consent of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The proposal is still under consideration and has not yet been finalized.

Syed Abu Hussin, who participated in a delegation with the Prime Minister to Pakistan, reported that 28 exporters from Pakistan expressed their readiness to supply 100,000 tonnes of rice to Malaysia. This discussion took place during Anwar's visit to Pakistan on October 3, where the Prime Minister showed interest in procuring the rice but emphasized the need for a thorough evaluation, particularly concerning pricing mechanisms.

Beyond rice, the Prime Minister also noted the potential for importing meat from Pakistan. Syed Abu Hussin, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bukit Gantang, reiterated his support for setting a single price grade for white rice to curb any potential manipulation of local rice prices.

He explained that the proposed measure aims to prevent the blending of local and imported rice, which is then sold at inflated prices, despite the ceiling price for local rice being RM26. Syed Abu Hussin intends to bring this issue to Parliament for further discussion.