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Kota Kinabalu: The Government has yet to make a decision on the price of rice at this time, despite media reports Friday that there will be a price hike next month due to a shortage of supplies as a result of the El Nino phenomenon typically associated with hot weather.

In this regard, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said his Ministry is prepared to face any impact due to the heatwave, including the price of rice.

“Now, we have asked our officers to obtain information from MAFS (Agriculture and Food Security Ministry), so we should get it hopefully by late evening, and the rumour is that there will not be an increase.

“My Ministry and MAFS will exchange notes as soon as possible today regarding this matter. We will then issue a statement,” he told reporters after launching the “Misi Rahmah Economi Sempadan Malaysia-Brunei” programme at the Petronas Dagangan Bhd Depot in Sepanggar Bay, here.

The programme sees the supply of 150 tonnes of unsubsidised Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from Malaysia to Brunei between June 16 and July 1. On Friday, the media reported that Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd (Mydin) Managing Director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin claimed that there would be a price hike of RM1 and RM2 per bag on various types of rice, next month.