Thailand says Malaysia rice stockpile to last 15 days

The rice shortage in Malaysia is getting worst as the news broadcasted by national
TV which showed the shortage of rice in the "rice bowl state" of Kedah and Kelantan. The farmers complaint that the millers pay them only 65 sen per kilo for the padi while thety have to pay RM3.80per kilo for the rice grains from the supermarket.

I have spoken out that we are facing an acute shortage of stockpile of "core rice" in the run up to the March 8 general election. "core rice" means the 15% broken rice that is a control item that is meant to protect the poorer sector of the society. But the situation worsened off as the food grains shortage became a global crisis and where many exporting nations put a ban on exporting the food grains.

The crisis could catch Malaysian by surprise as the government sent out the misleading signals that we have sufficient rice in the country. But now Thailand says Malaysia rice stockpile could last only 15 days, is that not a crisis? A healthy stockpile of 3 months is necessary in the interest of national security. It is as important as keeping sufficient medicines and may be more. the BN government would be held responsible for its mismanagement if the rice shortage turns into a noational crisis.

David Wong
09-05-2008

Below is reposted from Malaysiakini for your reading pleasure and reference.

Thailand says Malaysia rice stockpile to last 15 days
May 8, 08 4:55pm
Thailand said today it would provide 500,000 tonnes of rice to Malaysia in an emergency purchase as the latter's national stockpile had enough supplies to last only 15 days.

Government spokesman Wichainchot Sukchotrat said Malaysian agriculture minister Mustapa Mohamed met with Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej today to discuss the deal.

"Malaysia seeks an emergency purchase as a precaution to avert a rice shortage," Wichainchot told reporters. "Thailand will help by sending at least 100,000 tonnes or up to half the requested amount by today."

The rest will be sent within the next three days, he said, adding that Thailand would sell the rice at market price.