ALOR STAR: Malay Rice Millers' Association (PPBMM) has lauded the government's plan to set up a complaints tribunal to mediate disputes between paddy farmers and millers.
Its president Mohamad Termizi Yop said the setting up of the tribunal would allow the association to properly explain on the deduction of paddy grades to the farmers.
As such, Termizi said PPBMM fully supports the Agriculture and Agro-based Ministry plan to set up the tribunal as it would be the right platform to mediate dispute between the two groups.
"The tribunal will be the best platform for us to properly explain to the farmers on the reasons behind the millers decision to deduct between 20 per cent and 26 per cent from the amount of paddy produced by the farmers.
"We want to explain to the farmers that it is (the deduction) is in accordance to the standard operating procedure (SOP) to ensure the quality of rice," he told a press conference at the association's office here today.
Termizi said the tribunal would also serves as an avenue for the farmers to seek justice from millers who failed to adhere to the SOP, thus protecting the farmers interest.
"This issue has been going on for sometimes, the farmers are complaining that they failed to get proper explanation from the millers," he said.
On Saturday, the Agriculture and Agro-based Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek announced the ministry's proposal to set up a tribunal to mediate disputes over the high dedication of paddy grade by millers to the extend of affecting their income.
Shabery said farmers who are unhappy with the deduction could refer their case to the tribunal.
He said the ministry is proposing the tribunal to be comprised of representatives from Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan (PPK), farmers and millers.
Translated from Berita Harian