Govt ready to study restructuring of rice system, says Mat Sabu

Agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu said the government will ‘reassess’ the structure of the rice industry. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The government is ready to examine the restructuring of the rice system to prevent irregularities or the formation of cartels in the padi and rice industry.

Agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu said the ministry takes the allegations of the existence of rice cartels or manipulation by certain parties in the sector seriously.

“We take this rice issue seriously and will do whatever we can, including the restructuring of the rice and padi system, if necessary. The government will reassess the structure of the rice industry,” he said, according to Bernama.

Mohamad, also known as Mat Sabu, was speaking to reporters during a working visit to a freshwater fish pond at ARC Berkat Agrofood Sdn Bhd in Rawang, near here, today.

Previously, the Bumiputera Rice Association of Malaysia (Barim) said there was a certain “arrangement” set by Bernas, in addition to claiming that cartels were most likely in existence.

Barim president Ismail Awang was reported as saying that association members did not receive local rice supplies from Bernas because they were told there were no stocks, yet most supermarkets received their supplies.

Mohamad said several industry-related issues are being discussed between the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) and the padi and rice regulatory division of the ministry.

“Right now, these (issues) are still in the discussion stage and if there are any irregularities, action will be taken. But let’s wait for the results of the investigation,” he said.

On the aquaculture industry, Mohamad said the ministry has set the industry’s production target at 500,000 tonnes for this year.

He said this can be achieved by empowering revenue resources, with 60% coming from aquaculture and 40% from capture fishery.

He also said there is a need to intensify the campaign to increase people’s interest in freshwater fish products, aiming to further boost the demand for these items.