KUALA LUMPUR: Large manufacturers that control 80 per cent of the local rice and padi market have been urged to not make excessive profits which could affect both the government and the people.
National Action Council for Cost of Living (Naccol) food cluster task force Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Faisal said the seeking of excessive profits has also resulted in local white rice being sold at prices equivalent to imported white rice.
The situation, he added, has also led manufacturers to buy padi at higher prices from farmers in hopes of selling it at an even higher price.
"The ecosystem has led to unstabled padi purchasing prices in the country. (And) who is responsible for this? The result of the manipulation of rice prices has also led people to pay at least RM14 per sack (10kg).
"The Padi and Rice Regulatory Division appears to be allowing such a situation to happen by not taking decisive action against these violations.
"Hence, I hope that the division can carry out responsibilities and provide accurate information to the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) and the responsible ministry so prompt decisions can be made for the benefit of the people," he said in his debate for royal address in Dewan Rakyat, today.
At the same time, Syed Hussin who is also Bukit Gantang member of Parliament urged for reports on the Special Integrated Task Force on White Rice Operations Enforcement launched in October last year to be presented in the Lower House.
He added that the task force coordinated by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has agreed to delegate powers to enforcement agencies to conduct inspection over cartel issues under Act 522 of the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994.
"However, after five months of the task force establishment, MPs are still raising the issue of the absence of local white rice.
"(And) due to ineffective enforcement,the prime minister has also emphasised the need to tighten control over prices of goods through the Naccol food cluster task force."
Meanwhile, he also squashed claims of him taking over the duties of any minister after the hasty announcement of Madani white rice recently.
"As the head of the task force, I do not take over the duties of any minister, whether it is the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry or Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister.
"My duty is to assist the prime minister who is the chairman of Naccol."