KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 19 -- Umno Youth chief Akmal Saleh is against the proposal to introduce what has been dubbed as Madani rice, which aims to combine local white rice and imported rice under one category.

According to Akmal, the proposal by Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz only benefits certain businesses that already control the rice market.

"Don't deceive people with this Madani rice proposal.

"If the Madani rice is sold, traders will no longer sell local white rice priced at RM26, they would likely sell the one being priced at RM30 because it is more profitable," he said in a video posted on his Facebook yesterday.

Akmal also claimed that the proposal would hurt the sale of local white rice if it were implemented.

He said th...