THE Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry is investigating allegations of artificial rice that cropped up in Sandakan recently.

Acting Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Armizan Mohd Ali said the ministry’s Sandakan branch immediately undertook a probe under section 5 of Trade Description Act 2011.

“Visits have been made to the outlet involved, while additional information is also being obtained from the complainant in the viral video. We are also checking invoices of retailers and suppliers.

“However, at this stage we need to examine the validity of the allegation and obtain related evidence. I assure you that the ministry as the agency responsible will carry out enforcement,” he said today.

Earlier, Armizan who is also the Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Duties minister in the Prime Minister’s Department presented appointment certificates to 114 contract technical officers covering Grade J41 Engineers, Grade JA29 Assistant Engineers and Grade JA29 Assistant Material Surveyors in Sabah.

An individual recently claimed in a viral video that the rice sold at one of the outlets in Sandakan district was fake, with plastic content.

Meanwhile, Armizan said the technical officers involved will be stationed in 38 district offices throughout the state, with one engineer and two assistant engineers or surveyors stationed in each District Office.

“The placement process to the district offices will be jointly coordinated between the Sabah State Rural Development Ministry and the Sabah State Development Office,” he said.

He said the appointments followed the resolution of the People’s Development and Welfare Convention 2023 organised by the office on June 16-17 in Merbok, Kedah, which among other things stated the need to strengthen the technical unit of the district office to improve the effectiveness of the delivery system for the implementation of small federal projects at the district level.

“This pilot programme will be implemented through a three-year contract appointment that will provide opportunities and work experience for local youth who are qualified in the technical fields of civil, electrical and material surveying,” he added.

Armizan said the appointments are expected to strengthen the function and role of the district office in the implementation of federal development projects at the grassroots level. – Bernama, October 9, 2023.