KUCHING: Violet Yong Wui Wui has recommended that the Sarawak government explore a government-to-government (G2G) approach when negotiating for rice subsidy allowances targeting B40 and M40 families.
he Pending assemblywoman believes that this strategy is crucial in addressing the significant rise in rice prices in Sarawak.
Yong pointed out that the impact of the rising rice prices in Sarawak differs from that in Peninsular Malaysia, where white rice is still available at RM2.60 per kg.
“The sudden increase in the price of white rice has hit our people hard, causing economic difficulties,” she told the media here on today (Sept 14).
“My suggestion is that Minister for Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom engage in discussions with the federal government to find a solution to this problem.”
She added that subsidies should be channelled directly to the people, bypassing middlemen.
Yong expressed hope that collaboration through a G2G approach would lead to the development of a more effective scheme, particularly benefitting Sarawakians.
She also pointed out that the sudden increase in the price of imported rice is a result of Sarawak’s reliance on external sources for white rice. She urged the state government to place greater emphasis on local white rice production, a move that has yet to be implemented despite Sarawak’s abundant land resources.
“We have Bario rice and black rice, but our white rice is imported. This situation has negative implications, especially considering Sarawak’s extensive land resources.”
Earlier, Yong noted that the Sarawak government had initiated a 5,100-hectare Padi Jelapang project in Batang Lupar during the tenure of former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang.
