Ministry probes claim 'plastic rice' was sold at Sandakan supermarket

KOTA KINABALU: A full investigation is underway to verify claims that "plastic rice" was sold at a supermarket in Sandakan.

Officers of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry are carrying out the investigation to ascertain the validity of claims made in a viral video where a person is seen throwing away what he claims is "plastic rice."

The 1min, 20sec video also shows the person claiming that the rice bought from the supermarket was mostly plastic, with only some real rice mixed in.

Acting minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said he had ordered an immediate investigation of the matter.

"I am monitoring the investigation... (which is) being carried out... together with the Sabah Rice and Paddy Control Division," he told reporters at the appointment for 55 contract service technical officers to be deployed at district offices statewide on Monday (Oct 9).

Armizan said the investigation was being conducted under Section 5 of the Trade Description Act 2011 for false labelling.

"They have visited the premises and taken steps to obtain additional information from the complainant," he said.

"We are also checking invoices from retailers and suppliers. We will make sure these allegations are thoroughly investigated because it involves public safety and health," he said.

"We will get to the bottom of this... if there is any evidence that fake rice is being sold, we will go after those involved wherever they are," he added.