Rice import contract cannot be cancelled unilaterally, says Agriculture and Food Security deputy minister

KUALA LUMPUR: The government cannot unilaterally cancel any contract to import rice into the country because it needs to consider the social obligations which Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas) has agreed to implement, the Dewan Rakyat was told on Wednesday (March 15).

Agriculture and Food Security Deputy Minister Chan Foong Hin said as the country’s main rice importer, Bernas needed to fulfil 10 social obligations without getting any grants from the government.