Different Hikes In Rice Prices In Supermarts, Sundry Shops In Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 (Bernama) By Nur Syuhada Shamsuddin & Balkish Awang

Prices of all types of rice in several supermarkets and sundry shops in the capital were up since two weeks ago, albeit in different quantums.

Supermarket operators met by Bernama charged that they were forced to raise prices, following hikes by millers and wholesalers who in turn, said they were dictated by the rise in prices on the world market.

A random survey found that a 10kg sack of local super-special grade rice at some supermarkets was sold at between RM24.58 and RM28 and limited to two sacks to an individual.

At sundry shops, the price was between RM26 and RM29.

A 10kg sack of fragrant Siamese rice was sold for between RM26 and RM29 at supermarkets, and up to RM36 at most sundry shops.

The survey also found that there was supply of local super-special grade (five percent broken) rice and fragrant Siamese rice in the market. Local super-grade (15 percent broken) rice, a controlled item, was sold at between RM1.65 per kilogram and RM1.75 per kilogram.

Muslim Restaurant Operators Association of Malaysia (Presma) president Jamarulkhan Kader said a 50kg sack of local super-special grade rice rose from RM80 to RM120 in the last two weeks.

He said many restaurants used this good-quality rice besides 'basmati briyani' rice and Siamese rice.

"All prices of rice have gone up. So far, supply is sufficient. Only it is difficult to find 15 percent broken rice on the market. However, many restaurants did not use this rice before," he told Bernama.

Asked about the factors leading to price rises, Jamarulkhan said if millers raised prices, wholesalers and retailers were forced to do so.

Worried about the situation, he called for other companies, besides Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas), to be allowed to import rice. Bernas is the sole importer in the country. The secretary-general of the Muslim Mini-Markets and Sundry Shops Operators Association of Malaysia, Kamal Musthaffa, said rice supply was sufficient for now, but there was a price rise of between 20-30 percent.

A wholesaler in Keramat, who wanted to be identified as Ahmad, said: "Two weeks ago, I raised the price of 10kg sacks of local super-special rice and fragrant Siamese rice by RM6.

Twenty years in the business, Ahmad, 45, said he did not limit the quantity bought by his customers but gave a discount on purchases on more than three 10kg sacks.

Meanwhile, a sundry shop operator in Setiawangsa, Nordin Mohamed, 25, said many consumers grumbled over the hike in the price of rice and as such, he did not want to stock too much.