KUALA LUMPUR: Rice supply issues fall under the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, Fuziah Salleh has reminded an Opposition MP.
The Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister was responding to Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya), who questioned Fuziah's earlier statement that her ministry did not have sufficient enforcement officers to monitor the prices of rice.
Radzi said the Control of Padi and Rice Act stated that the director-general may authorise, in writing, any public officer to exercise the powers under this part.
"This means any public officer can be used. In this situation, perhaps there could be discussions with the director-general to see how things can move forward," he said.
To this, Fuziah asked Radzi to refer the matter to the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.
"On steps to expand enforcement through the Control of Padi and Rice Act, we can't do that," Fuziah told the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Sept 18).
Fuziah added that she had held discussions with Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu to ensure rice supplies for Rahmah sales.
"We are doing something – not just letting go of our responsibilities.
"You should have raised it to the Agriculture and Food Security Minister who spoke earlier," she said.
Fuziah also brushed aside allegations by Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (PN-Tanah Merah) that subsidised sugar was packaged as commercial sugar and sold at normal prices.
"It's not the same type of sugar. They can't just repackage it as do monitoring," she said.
Parliament is currently having a six-day special sitting from Sept 11-19, to debate the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review.
