KUALA LUMPUR: The Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994 (Act 522) will be amended to enhance enforcement against the mixing of locally produced and imported rice, says Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
He said stricter measures would be implemented against millers, wholesalers and retailers found engaging in such activities, acknowledging that the current provisions under the Act are insufficient to address the issue effectively.
“We will move forward to the second phase where there will be comprehensive enforcement, including amending the Act.
“The existing law is too lax, allowing the mixing of local and imported rice to happen,” Mohamad said when winding up his ministerial briefing in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
He added that the proposed amendments would also determine whether current legal provisions are adequate for prosecuting offenders in court.
Additionally, he expressed hope that the amendments would grant stronger enforcement authority to ministry officers.
In session: Mohamad (centre) during a special press conference on the adjustment of padi and rice prices at the Dewan Rakyat. — Bernama
“These proposed amendments will be reviewed by the parties that oversee the legal aspect. There is a need for amendments so we can move to the second phase and better protect the farmers and their interests,” he added.
Previously, Hassan Karim (PH- Pasir Gudang) suggested that mixing local and imported rice should be classified as a criminal offence to prevent profit-driven manipulation by certain parties.
Earlier, Mohamad announced the first phase of measures to address the shortage of locally produced rice. Among them was adjusting the padi floor price from RM1,300 to RM1,500 per tonne. During the debate session that followed, Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) questioned the basis for setting the floor price, arguing that farmers would still struggle to turn a profit at that rate.
Calling it a piecemeal policy, he said the move does not address two pertinent issues: local rice supply and farmers’ welfare.
Ronald also pointed out that subsidy rates for farmers had remained unchanged despite rising costs for pesticides, fertilisers and seeds.
“The rice from farmers is allowed to be sold at RM2.60 per kilo, while padi is bought at RM1,300. That is not feasible,” said the former agriculture and food industries minister.
Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) proposed that local rice prices should be floated, arguing that this, coupled with the RM1,500 floor price, would encourage farmers to increase production.
“When we float the price of local rice, we can further raise the floor price,” he added.
