He highlighted that within a single month, fuel subsidies rose from around RM700 million to RM6 billion, placing immense pressure on the country's fiscal position. He said the government must balance the needs of various sectors, as paddy farmers are not the only ones affected, as other sectors are also facing similar cost pressures. He stressed that the current priority is to safeguard national food security, including the supply of rice, chicken, eggs and vegetables. Mohamad added that under Budget 2026, the paddy and rice sub-sector received an allocation of RM2.62 billion, covering rice price subsidies, fertiliser subsidies and various production incentives. More than 50% of the ministry's management budget is channelled to this sub-sector, he said, reflecting the government's ongoing commitment to the welfare of paddy farmers and national food security.

Source: The Edge Markets April 11, 2026 09:36 UTC