Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu stated that any suggestions to add the number of approved permits for rice importers must be discussed with the finance and economy ministries, as well as the Prime Minister’s Department.
Acting Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali has called on consumers to immediately file complaints regarding rising prices of goods, including rice, in order to facilitate enforcement actions.
The issue of rice shortage and the increase in the price of imported rice has garnered the attention of MPs during the second day of debate for the 12th Malaysia Plan Mid-Term Review in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Before the formation of Malaysia, rice was basically state affairs, but as times went on, the rice industry in Malaysia was hijacked by the federal government as it saw fit and included in a federal act that ultimately disbanded the Sabah Padi Board, paving the way for a capitalist corporation to have a complete monopoly.
