DENGKIL: The government will review Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) monopoly on rice imports deal to stabilise the market price in Malaysia.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the approved permit (AP) decade agreement signed in 2021 with the sole import rice supplier will be looked into.
However, he also ensured that the current price for imported rice was under control and followed international standards.
"I can't confirm, but the issue of rice monopoly was decided and signed for 10 years, so we need to negotiate.
"So far, we can ensure that imported rice is indeed controlled and follows international prices. But we can investigate," Anwar told reporters after attending weekly Friday prayers today.
Previously, Pasir Gudang federal lawmaker Hassan Abdul Karim called for the end of Bernas' monopoly on rice imports and said that the termination should be done in stages.
Under the former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the then administration had agreed that AP is not necessary to import food except for rice.
Earlier this month, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu told the Dewan Rakyat that the price increase was contributed by the strengthening of the US dollar compared to the ringgit from an average of RM4.47 per US$ in August last year to over RM4.61 in August this year, according to Bank Negara.