SERDANG: The purchase limit for 10kg bags of local white rice priced at RM26 has been increased from two to five bags per transaction.

Agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu said the relaxation was to meet current consumer demand and address the needs of targeted groups, particularly poor households.

“As of mid-April, a total of 3.16 million 10kg bags of local white rice have been sold through more than 47,000 registered retail premises nationwide.

“States such as Selangor, Kedah, Perak and Johor recorded the highest distribution figures. This initiative is among the ministry’s key efforts to consistently safeguard the nation’s rice supply,” he said at the ministry’s monthly assembly and Aidilfitri gathering at MAEPS Serdang today.

Mohamad also said the Cabinet has commended his ministry for its effective price control measures during this year’s festive seasons, describing it as among the best in history.

“The market remained stable throughout Ramadan and leading up to Syawal, with prices of essential items such as chicken, eggs, vegetables, fish and meat staying under control and affordable, without any surge that could burden consumers,” he said.

He said the Semarak Syawal 2025 programme, held from March 22 to 30, achieved notable success by recording sales worth RM21.43 million, exceeding the initial target of RM20 million.

The programme not only enabled consumers to purchase Aidilfitri necessities at reasonable prices but also helped boost the income of farmers and agro-food entrepreneurs ahead of the celebrations.

It was carried out at 262 locations nationwide, including farmers’ markets, permanent farmers’ markets, rural transformation centres, and Medan Niaga Satok in Sarawak, involving 9,005 local entrepreneurs.