PUTATAN: Consumers in Sabah have described the reduction in the price of imported white rice (BPI) to a maximum of RM31 for a 10-kilogram (kg) pack starting today as a big relief for their expenses.
They are also grateful for the government's initiative to subsidise the essential item, which had previously experienced price hikes up to over RM40 for 10 kilograms.
Contract worker, Laina Tiawa, 39, said that with the new lower price of BPI, it was a great relief for her large family, as they previously had to ration rice carefully, fearing it would run out quickly if consumption was not controlled.
"For my family, which includes 10 children, 5 kilograms of rice would only last two days, while a 10 kg pack would last for five days.
"So, we were burdened because every week we had to buy rice, especially with the high prices of nearly RM40 per 10 kg pack.
"Whether we liked it or not, we had to ration the rice, measuring it precisely with a cup to make sure it lasted, because we were afraid it would run out quickly.
"When the price goes down, Alhamdulillah, I am truly grateful. The money saved from buying rice can now be used to buy oil, sugar, and other groceries," she said.
Meanwhile, for small traders like Mohd Iskandar Abdul Kamal, 55, the subsidised price provided by the government significantly eased the burden on small traders and low-income families.
He also hopes that the low price of BPI will continue for a long time to help low-income groups who were burdened by the previous price increases.
"We are very grateful for the reduction in rice prices; it certainly eases the burden on consumers. So, thank you to the government for providing subsidies, and we hope that this price will remain," he said.
Meanwhile, Sabah Padi and Rice Control director Abd Alim Multazam reminded consumers in Sabah not to panic-buy following the reduction in BPI prices starting today.
He said there was no issue with the supply of BPI in the state, and consumers are assured that they will not face difficulties in obtaining rice at the new price.
"We advise consumers not to panic, buying one or two packs of rice is sufficient. We will monitor the rice supply to ensure it continues to be available in the market.
"So far, not all BPI prices have been lowered, but we have already asked wholesalers to inform retailers to set the new prices, and this may be done in a day or two," he said.
Regarding the new BPI prices after subsidies, he stated that the government's fixed rate is RM31 for a 10 kg pack, which is the maximum price retailers can charge consumers.
Last night, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said that the government has approved a subsidy of RM950 per metric ton of BPI in Sabah and Sarawak.
He had also said the government understood that the people in Sabah and Sarawak had limited options other than relying on BPI due to the low production rate of local rice, which was only 25 per cent in Sabah.
