IN a move to combat white rice shortage in the country, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has embarked on a nationwide operation to crack down on premises engaged in rice stock manipulation.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Chan Foong Hin said rice samples were collected in Selangor and sent for analysis at the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute.

“Inspections were carried out at the factory, wholesalers and retail levels.

“The ministry will continue its inter-agency enforcement cooperation and will not compromise with anyone found to be mixing local and imported rice, or hoarding local rice stock.

“Initial inspections found that all rice wholesalers had sufficient supplies of local and imported white rice. Their licences were valid and the storage of rice (in the premises) did not exceed the licensed load limit,” he said.

Chan, who heads the newly established Special Integrated Task Force on White Rice Operations Enforcement, said the ministry will continue to ensure there is sufficient supply of white rice in the market.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday warned parties found hoarding rice would be brought to court.

“Yes, there are complaints from people everywhere. The price of rice in Indonesia has also gone up. President Jokowi said it was because 18 rice-supplying countries have blocked, stopped or reduced their rice exports, so there is a demand-and-supply issue.

“And there are those who hoard rice. Anyone who dares to capitalise on the people’s misery will face the full brunt of the law,” he said. – October 6, 2023.