Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, chairman of a government committee on food prices, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had consented to the proposal.

He also said the proposal had been submitted to Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) for consideration but no decision had been made yet.

“I accompanied the prime minister to Pakistan, where 28 exporters expressed readiness to supply 100,000 tonnes of rice to us,” he said.

During his visit to Pakistan on Oct 3, Anwar stated the government’s willingness to import the rice but stressed the need for further evaluation, particularly on pricing mechanisms.

Anwar also touched on the possibility of importing meat from Pakistan.

Syed Hussin, who is also Bukit Gantang MP, again stood by his proposal to establish a single price grade for white rice to prevent any manipulation of local white rice prices.

“This measure would stop the practice of mixing local and imported rice, which is then sold at higher prices, despite the ceiling price for local rice being RM26,” he said, adding that he planned to raise the matter in the Dewan Rakyat.