KUALA LUMPUR: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has refuted claims by the Malaysian Padi Farmers Brotherhood Organisation (Pesawah) regarding an alleged directive to lower padi purchase prices.
In a statement on Friday (Jan 10), the ministry clarified that the claims are false and have caused confusion among farmers and stakeholders in the industry.
"The Ministry urges an immediate halt to the dissemination of this misinformation and emphasises that those spreading such unverified information will be held accountable,” the statement read.
Pesawah had alleged in a media release on Wednesday (Jan 8) that padi purchase prices were reduced to RM1,300 per metric ton, compared to the current range of RM1,500 to RM1,800.
The statement further claimed that the decision was finalised during a recent meeting between rice millers and the director-general of the Padi and Rice Industry Division. - Bernama
