Kuala Terengganu: Subsidised local white rice (BPT) in 10kg bags, priced at RM26 each, is now available in Terengganu, with the first deliveries reaching two retail outlets today. State Padi and Rice Regulatory Department director Ahmad Suffian Zulkipeli confirmed that Q Mart Merbau Patah and Q Mart Bukit Bayas received 50 and 30 bags respectively, based on their purchase orders.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the deliveries are based on the quantities ordered by the retailers, with only these two stores receiving the rice today as they placed their orders earlier. Distribution is set to continue in stages following the programme’s official start yesterday. Ahmad Suffian mentioned that the ongoing delivery process is affected as some wholesalers are on holiday, originating from regions such as Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Johor, as Terengganu itself does not have any wholesalers.

Ahmad Suffian stated that there is no quota for retailers, but their orders are limited by their financial capacity. The department will monitor deliveries to ensure they match the orders and will report to headquarters in Putrajaya. Inspections will also be conducted to ensure correct price tags are displayed and compliance with pricing regulations. Violations will be addressed under the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994 (Act 522).

He further urged retailers to limit sales to two 10kg bags per customer to prevent bulk buying by food stall operators. Meanwhile, local trader Roziah Md Noor, 55, expressed her approval of the affordable rice supply, describing it as a “windfall” since she had previously paid up to RM38 for imported rice. She mentioned that the price would ease the burden for larger households and hoped the sale would continue.

Yesterday, media reports highlighted that the BPT rice had yet to appear in Terengganu, despite the government’s announcement that sales would begin on March 1.