CHARITABLE MALAYSIANS, UNCHARITABLE BN - ARE MALAYSIANS SO POOR UNDER ANWAR'S WATCH THAT WHITE RICE CAN NO LONGER BE SOLD TO FOREIGNERS?

CHARITABLE MALAYSIANS, UNCHARITABLE BN - ARE MALAYSIANS SO POOR UNDER ANWAR'S WATCH THAT WHITE RICE CAN NO LONGER BE SOLD TO FOREIGNERS?

KUALA LUMPUR (Politics Now!) - In a shocking statement, whether meant to blindly bolster support for long-time ally Umno Youth whilst firing a shot at archrivals in Pakatan, the MCA has labelled as 'simplistic' the gentle rebuke and reminder from Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu - that foreigners living here are caught in the same vicious cycle of inflation and skyrocketing prices as the locals.

'Foreigners have to eat too,' was Mat Sabu's response to Dr Akmal Saleh's proposal to ban sale of local white rice to non-citizens.

Outraged at the Minister's logic, the MCA insists they have a better solution.

"When restrictions or bans are placed upon certain groups from purchasing locally produced white rice, this will increase the presence of local rice in the market, thereby enabling its accessibility to more Malaysians, in particular, low-income households," said MCA Youth chief Nicole Wong.

Indeed, the lack of local white rice in the market has pushed up its price, adding onto the financial burden of a populace that is already angry at having to struggle with ever-increasing costs of living, although many believe it is not yet time to hit the panic buttons. 

Meanwhile, the Selangor government has extended an offer of RM13 per 5kg bag of rice to its residents. Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said the sale will be implemented through the State Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS) at 4 PKPS outlets. They will also have mobile sales at three locations every day until December 2023.

"The supply of local white rice will begin to stabilise starting from October, as rice production in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia resumes, and Selangor also commences its harvest," said Amirudin in a statement. 

Amirudin also assured that the supply of local white rice in the state, which requires 45,500 metric tonnes of rice per month, was sufficient at least until the end of September 2023 - Politics Now!

“Charity begins at home”

The suggestion by UMNO Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh that local white rice should only be sold to Malaysians as a temporary measure to address the shortage of local white rice in the market merits consideration.

The lack of local white rice in the market has pushed its price up, thereby adding on the financial burden of the public who already are enduring heightened expenses in the cost of living.

When restrictions or bans are placed upon certain groups from purchasing locally produced white rice, this will increase the presence of local rice in the market, thereby enabling its accessibility to more Malaysians, in particular, low-income households.

The hesitance by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu to address the proposal but instead, shot it down, on the grounds that "foreigners have to eat too" is a simplistic approach.

Government hospitals impose higher deposits and ward admission charges unto non-Malaysians although health issues requiring medical treatment knows no differentiation between Malaysian citizens and foreigners, despite the latter’s “work and services here also contribute to the development of our country.”

“Charity begins at home” – as the adage goes. It is alright to extend help to neighbours and strangers, but please do ensure that the pressing needs of our own Malaysians are resolved earlier. - Press statement by MCA National Youth Chairperson Datuk Nicole Wong Siaw Ting

-Politics Now!