Malaysians urged not to panic-buy local rice after import prices rise substantially

Malaysia's government has reassured the country that enough rice is available and urged people not to hoard locally produced rice after recent panic-buying led to empty shelves in supermarkets and grocery stores nationwide. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu said Monday the government will increase distribution to rural areas to address a supply issue sparked by a hike in the price of imported rice. Malaysia and many countries are grappling with rising rice prices and low supplies after India's curb on rice sales cut global supplies by a fifth.