Rice bowl state runs out of grain - The Star

ALOR STAR: Subsidised local rice is said to be no longer available in the state and the Government has directed an investigation into the matter.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Samad, who called on the Control of Padi and Rice Division to do so, said he wanted to know why such rice was no longer available.

“I have asked the division (which comes under the Agriculture and Agrobased Industry Ministry) to check.

“On matters concerning rice, the Consumer Affairs Ministry's enforcement unit can only assist the division,” he said when contacted yesterday.

He said this when responding to complaints from Kedah consumers and traders that they could no longer get the local (ST) super grade rice.

ST, which contains 15% broken grains, is the cheapest rice available. The controlled price of the ST grade rice is between RM16.50 and RM17.50 for a 10kg packet.

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