BUTTERWORTH, Dec 7 — The price of imported rice from India has been reduced slightly following negotiations with the Indian government during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent visit to the country.
Anwar said the Federal government is committed to easing the people’s burden, especially in ensuring basic necessities remain at a low price.
Citing imported rice, he said the price of imported rice from India is currently lower following the government’s successful negotiations with India during his visit to the country in August.
“They agreed to sell the rice at a cheaper price. We hope this will ease the people’s burden,” Anwar said at the launch of the Madani Cheapest Sale Programme in Kampung Masjid Timah today.
He added that the hosting of these affordable sale programmes can provide healthy competition, thus putting pressure on the market price to be lowered.
The one-day sale offered 1,000 chickens and 200 bags of rice for free to visitors.
In addition, Anwar said visitors could also buy fresh fish guaranteed to be lower than the market price as they were taken directly from fishing boats.
“One can buy fresh fish at a cheaper price if they are obtained directly from fishermen, without the use of middlemen. That’s why we encourage fishermen to use apps so that people can buy directly from them.
“This will also create healthy competition in the market,” he said.
The Prime Minister also spent about 30 minutes mingling with the traders and visitors at the programme.
— Bernama
