Bernas: Single gatekeeper mechanism works

KUALA LUMPUR: Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) has provided a presentation to the Council of Eminent Persons on having better appreciation of the local rice industry, following the Government’s recent decision to terminate the company’s rice-import monopoly.

Chief executive officer Ismail Mohamed Yusof said at a media briefing today that the present single gatekeeper mechanism, which gives Bernas the rights to import rice, had been in place since 1974 and has worked well to protect the welfare of local farmers and consumers, as well as providing food security.

He said having an open market would require new players to undertake responsibilities it might not be ready to cope with.

Ismail emphasized that there is always a need for a single gatekeeper within the industry

Last month, the Government announced that it will be terminating Bernas’ monopoly to import rice. 

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub said a working paper on breaking up the monopoly would be drafted with feedback from both the ministry and other stakeholders before being submitted to the Government for further action.