The chairman of the National Action Council on Cost of Living’s (Naccol) food prices and cost of living committee said he is only responsible for assisting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is the chairman of Naccol.

“As the head of the committee, I am not taking over any ministers’ responsibilities, whether they are from the agriculture and food security or domestic trade and cost of living ministries,” he said while debating the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat.

On Feb 17, Pakatan Harapan MPs Aminolhuda Hassan and Hassan Karim questioned how Syed Hussin, who is not a member of the Cabinet, could precede the government in announcing such a crucial policy.

Before that, agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu also said Syed Hussin’s announcement of the introduction of “Madani white rice” was a mistake, as it had not been decided by the government.

Meanwhile, Syed Hussin warned the five major manufacturers controlling 80% of the local padi and rice market to not be greedy in search of excessive profits and drag the people and the government into a crisis.

He said he hoped the agriculture and food security ministry’s padi and rice regulatory division would fulfil its responsibilities seriously and provide Anwar with accurate and timely information.

“This is so they can make immediate and accurate decisions for the benefit of the people,” he said.