Wholesalers Urged To Collect Rice Stocks To Avoid Supply Disruption – Jamawi

TELUPID, April 9 (Bernama) -- Rice wholesalers in Sabah have been urged to promptly collect their stocks to ensure smooth distribution and avoid supply disruptions, said state Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar.

He said about 3,000 tonnes of rice purchased by several wholesalers three days ago have yet to be collected and remain at Padiberas Nasional Bhd (BERNAS) warehouses.

“I urge wholesalers to arrange transport to collect the rice they have ordered. I do not want this to become an act of sabotage to manipulate prices,” he told reporters after an engagement session with the Sabah Drainage and Irrigation Department and a Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering here today.

Jamawi said rice prices in Sabah would remain stable as subsidies for the staple continue to be maintained.

Meanwhile, he said the ministry is auditing several wholesalers over alleged hoarding, with offenders liable to a minimum RM50,000 fine and possible imprisonment upon conviction.

“There will be no compromise as this affects the livelihoods of Sabahans. Investigations are ongoing and some wholesalers have failed to attend when summoned,” he said.

He added that higher prices and the absence of subsidies elsewhere may have led to rice being concealed and smuggled across borders.

“I am not making accusations, but we are gathering evidence,” he said.

In a related development, Jamawi said Sabah spends about RM1 billion annually on imported rice, adding that the ministry aims to develop idle padi fields in the state to reduce reliance on imports from Vietnam and Thailand.

-- BERNAMA