KUALA LUMPUR: Amendments to the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994, which aim to strengthen monitoring and tackle price manipulation as well as combat rice cartels are expected to be tabled at the next Dewan Rakyat meeting.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the amendments were, among others, to create new regulations to enforce rice-grading specifications, in addition to setting control prices for selected rice grades.
"Through this new regulation, the specifications of rice grades and prices will be set to ensure that they are always under control and to protect the interests of all parties.
"The main objective of setting controlled prices for selected rice grades is to guarantee the stability of rice supply in the market and protect consumers, especially the low-income group," he said at the Special Chamber session at the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Feb 24).
He was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kasim (PN-Arau) who raised issues related to padi and rice that have long plagued the country's staple food ecosystem, burdening the people.
Mohamad said the regulation would also stipulate the obligation of rice producers to clearly state product information, including the price and broken rice content, to ensure that consumers receive correct information about the product they purchase.
"Violation of any provision under the new regulation is an offence," he said.
He said the formulation of the new regulation would also strengthen the role of research agencies such as the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) in providing strong scientific evidence to assist authorities to prosecute on cases related to rice in court.
"In conclusion, the decision to restructure the rice grade and price structure was made based on the main principles of national food security, which is to ensure sufficient supply, stable prices and that all parties in the rice and rice chain from farmers to consumers continue to be protected," he said.
Mohamad also assured that his ministry would implement appropriate interventions based on the Act if there is disruption or instability in the entire production chain and supply of padi and rice in the country. – Bernama
Parliament, Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994, Act 522, Mohamad Sabu, Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, Amendment
