Seremban: The sale of Perpatih Rice through the Nismilan Prihatin initiative supplies 48 tonnes of rice each month, benefiting approximately 2,500 individuals, as reported to the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today. Senior state executive councillor Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias highlighted the state government's ongoing efforts to improve access to local rice for residents.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the sales programme takes place every Friday morning in eight parliamentary constituencies on a rotational basis. This initiative results in an average sale of 300 rice packets, each weighing 5kg, priced at RM13 per packet weekly. Over the past 13 months, a total of 624 metric tonnes of rice have been sold through the Nismilan Prihatin programme. Jalaluddin provided these details in response to an oral question from state opposition leader Mohamad Hanifah Abu Baker.

Mohamad Hanifah (PN-Labu) inquired about the state government's strategy to provide free rice to those impacted by local rice-related issues. This inquiry followed a revelation by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) that 40 to 50 per cent of imported rice from 5,000 samples analysed was found to be mixed with local white rice.

Jalaluddin (BN-Pertang) clarified that the matter falls under the federal government's jurisdiction. However, the state government is working with enforcement agencies to ensure stringent measures are taken against those involved in such malpractices.

In a separate matter, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun refuted claims that the state government was withholding allocations from opposition assemblymen as a form of bullying. He explained that allocations are provided through the community service centres of the respective state constituencies. Aminuddin addressed this issue following an interjection by Paroi assemblyman Kamarol Ridzuan Mohd Zain, who contested the non-receipt of allocations to date.