ALOR SETAR: The authorities confiscated 180 metric tonnes of local white rice hidden in a rice mill in the state, worth an estimated RM405,000, during an inspection under Op Beras Putih Tempatan (BPT).
Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said an inspection at the mill found the amount of Local Super Special 5% (SST5) or local white rice concealed in undisclosed storage inside jumbo containers on Monday.
“For now, the mill’s location or company name cannot be disclosed to prevent any interference with the ongoing investigation. This is the first seizure made under Op BPT or Local White Rice Operation.
“The Padi and Rice Regulatory Division (KPB) conducts routine operations consistently. Last Saturday, it also carried out an operation and confiscated rice at a mill here,” he told reporters after participating in a monitoring operation at a rice mill here yesterday, according to Bernama.
The case is currently being investigated under the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994 (Act 522) and the Padi and Rice Control Regulations (Licensing of Rice Mills) 1996, he added. Chan also warned the relevant parties to comply with the established laws and emphasised that his ministry and task force members will take strict action against those found violating existing regulations.
So far, the OP BPT task force has conducted inspections on eight rice wholesalers and six rice manufacturers in this state to check on any activities of hoarding rice, changing packaging or mixing local white rice with imported white rice, he said.
Commenting on rice farmers’ requests in the state for higher padi purchase prices from manufacturers, Chan said his ministry understands the issues faced by them and always seeks solutions to address the problem.
“However, any adjustments to the padi purchase price must align with the retail prices charged on consumers to prevent losses to wholesalers and manufacturers,” he said.
Addressing the proposal from some parties to raise the Padi Price Subsidy Scheme rate, Chan said the new government recently increased it from RM360 to RM500 per metric tonne in Aug.
“To increase the rate in the immediate future will not be easy, so we will explore other options to meet the needs of all parties and stakeholders in this industry,” he said.
