Bernas, KIMIA Malaysia Collaborate To Raise Rice Quality Standard

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas) has signed a cooperation note with the Department of Chemistry Malaysia (KIMIA Malaysia) to conduct interlaboratory comparisons (ILC) and proficiency testing for rice grading activities.

According to a joint statement by Bernas and KIMIA Malaysia today, the cooperation note was signed by Bernas Group chief executive officer Zulkiflee Abdul Rahman and KIMIA Malaysia’s director-general, Marhayani Md Saad.

Witnessing the signing were the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) Secretary-General Datuk Aminuddin Hassim and Bernas Chairman Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim.

Through this collaboration, Bernas will support KIMIA Malaysia in developing methods, providing training for rice sample analysis, and discussing issues related to rice analysis for interlaboratory comparisons. The initiative also aims to enhance proficiency testing in rice analysis.

Bernas’ laboratory is the first in Malaysia and Southeast Asia to be accredited under ISO17025, further strengthening efforts to improve rice quality while ensuring consistency, reliability, and compliance with established specifications and standards.

"This is the first initiative of its kind in the country, as no other provider offers interlaboratory comparison programmes for rice grading," the statement said.

Meanwhile, Aminuddin in the same statement said that this initiative will act as a catalyst for change in the nation’s rice and paddy industry, ultimately bringing positive impact on quality, food security, and the reliability of the rice and paddy supply chain in the long term.

"This cooperation not only aligns with the government’s aspiration to make Malaysia a high-technology nation driven by science, technology, and innovation, but also support the national food security agenda and enhance the competitiveness of the country’s rice industry," he added.

-- BERNAMA