Rice supply issues are the responsibility of the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, according to Fuziah Salleh, the Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister. This statement comes in response to Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya), an Opposition MP, who questioned Fuziah’s earlier remark about the lack of enforcement officers in her ministry to monitor rice prices.
Radzi referred to the Control of Padi and Rice Act, which grants the director-general the authority to authorize any public officer to exercise the powers under this act. He suggested engaging in discussions with the director-general to find a way forward.
However, Fuziah advised Radzi to address the matter to the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry. She emphasized that expanding enforcement through the Control of Padi and Rice Act was not within her ministry’s capabilities.
Fuziah mentioned that she had already discussed with Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu to ensure an adequate supply of rice for Rahmah sales.
She expressed her commitment to taking action and fulfilling their responsibilities, countering allegations made by Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (PN-Tanah Merah) that subsidised sugar was being repackaged as commercial sugar and sold at normal prices. Fuziah clarified that this was not the case, as they could not repackage different types of sugar and their monitoring was accurate.
The current parliamentary session, which is a six-day special sitting from September 11-19, is dedicated to the debate on the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
