Bernama reported him as saying the “exceptionally severe” floods this year had significantly impacted the country’s rice supply.

Arthur was responding to Che Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut) in the Dewan Rakyat today about the effectiveness of his ministry’s initiatives to address the shortage of white rice.

He said his ministry had set up a padi crop disaster fund to help padi farmers mitigate their flood-related losses.

“Farmers are eligible for assistance of RM1,800 per hectare for up to three hectares, depending on the extent of damage incurred. Agrobank’s new scheme launched in October, the Padi Crop Takaful Scheme, (also) allows farmers to apply for aid of up to RM3,000 per season,” he said.

This year, the ministry had allocated RM30 million for repairs of infrastructure damaged by the floods.

Arthur also said his ministry had introduced four institutional and industry reform measures to address the shortage of white rice.

He said these reforms included separating the powers and functions of padi management institutions, banning the mixing of white and imported rice, enhancing enforcement regulations and reinforcing the governance of the National Farmers’ Organisation and the Farmers’ Organisation Authority.

All these measures will come into effect on Jan 1.

Separately, deputy inspector-general of police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the police have so far suffered RM3.2 million in losses from damage to police stations and beat bases in 42 locations nationwide during the northeast monsoon.

He said of this amount, RM2.5 million in losses were from damage to 32 police stations and beat bases by floods.

“The rest was due to storms that damaged roofs and ceilings in nine locations incurring RM559,000 in losses, while a falling tree in one location incurred a loss of RM200,000,” he said.

Ayob Khan said this at a programme delivering donations to flood victims in the force at the Kuala Jengai police station in Terengganu today.