The government has maintained the price of local white rice at RM2.60 per kilogram, with a RM150 million injection to cover production costs for six months.
What happens after that?
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, explained that the full reform will take a year, with further announcements expected to be made by the middle of this year.
Along with this move, the paddy floor price has also been increased to RM1,500 per metric ton from February 16, in line with the increase in fertilizer and labor costs.
The government is also negotiating to include paddy and rice industry operators in the Budi Madani diesel subsidy.
But is this enough? Six months from now, will prices remain stable or will consumers face new surprises?
