PUTRAJAYA: The Agriculture and Food Security's Rice and Padi Regulatory Division has seized 645.75 tonnes of subsidised rice worth RM2.mil during Ops Taring Bravo 3 at a warehouse in Sibu, Sarawak recently.
The operation was carried out by the division with the cooperation of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Checkpoints and Border Agency (MCBA) on May 15 and 16.
In a statement on Wednesday (May 22), the ministry said various grades of rice including imported white rice (BPI) were seized during the operation at the warehouse.
It was also found that the warehouse did not have a licence under the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994.
"The division has sealed the rice stock along with related documents for further investigation under the Act as well as the Control of Padi and Rice (Licensing of Wholesalers and Retailers) Regulations 1996,” it said.
The government had agreed to provide a subsidy of RM950 per tonne for BPI from Oct 5 in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan to enable it to be obtained at a retail price of RM31 per 10kg.
The ministry said misappropriating subsidised goods is an irresponsible act that caused losses to the country.
"The division constantly collaborates with enforcement agencies to stop those who try to misappropriate BPI in Sabah and Sarawak, including trying to take the rice out of the country,” it said.
Complaints or information can be channelled through the division's complaint portal at https://skpb.kpkm.gov.my/adu or its head office in Putrajaya at 03-88701751/1748/1183. – Bernama
