Alor Star, Malaysia: There is enough supply of rice and the people should not worry about a shortage, said Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed.

He said the country had 600,000 tonnes in stockpile, including unprocessed rice, and Padi Beras Nasional Bhd (Bernas) would increase the amount by September.

"Bernas has confirmed that it will be importing between 600,000 and 700,000 tonnes of rice from now until September," he told newsmen after visiting the Jelai Padi Estate project yesterday.

"The combined stockpile will last until then. The people will have enough rice and should not be unduly worried about any shortage."

Mustapa said the country's rice production met only 73% of national consumption and the Government had to import the balance.

On whether the Government had difficulty importing rice in view of the global shortage, Mustapa said Bernas was a trusted company and would have no problem getting supply from Thailand and Vietnam.

Mustapa added that the ministry was also preparing a plan to increase the country's rice production as a long-term effort to ensure enough supply in the country.

He had told the Muda Agriculture Development Authority (Mada) to find ways to reach the 10-tonne/ha target faster.

"This will help the country increase self-sufficiency to 90%," he said.

The current production was about 5.4 tonnes/ha throughout the 100,000ha Mada land in Kedah and Perlis. Mada contributes about 50% of the country's rice production.

In Johor Baru, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said he had not received any complaints about rice hoarding.

"The monitoring of all goods, including rice, has been given priority ever since I took over this ministry about a month ago," he said after officiating at a blood and organ donation campaign yesterday.

He said about 2,000 officers would, from June, monitor all essential items and ensure sufficient supply.