KUCHING: Sarawakians will be able to enjoy rice at cheaper prices if the Federal Government terminates the rice import monopoly held by Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas).
State Pakatan Harapan chairman Chong Chieng Jen said such an action should be expedited as part of the initiatives to lessen the people’s expenditure on the staple food.
He said based on the current market, the prices of imported fragrant and white rice are influenced by the profit gained by Bernas.
He said the agency imported fragrant rice from Thailand at RM4,700 per metric tonne and resold it to wholesalers at RM5,800 per metric tonne.
“This means, Bernas gains a gross profit of RM1,100 per metric tonne.
“Meanwhile, imported fragrant rice from Vietnam is imported at RM2,400 per tonne and is sold at RM3,400 per tonne to wholesalers, which means a gross profit of RM1,000 per tonne.”
He said the imported Thai white rice which costs RM2,050 per tonne was sold to wholesalers at RM2,850 per tonne, and the imported Vietnam white rice, which costs RM1,810 per tonne was sold at RM2,250 per tonne to wholesalers.
“Bernas gains an annual gross profit of RM104 million from the import of rice in Sarawak alone, while consumers have to spend a lot on the daily essential goods.
“With the abolishment of the monopoly system on rice imports, consumers will be able to buy rice at a cheaper price,” he said, adding that the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry would be able to issue permits directly to exporters from Thailand and Vietnam.
Chong said such measure would enable the price of rice to be reduced between 20 and 30 per cent nationwide.
There are currently 10 main rice wholesalers in Sarawak dealing with imported rice from Thailand and Vietnam.
Also present were state Amanah chairman, Fidzuan Zaidi and Bandar Kuching member of parliament, Dr Kelvin Yii.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub was reported as saying that a working paper to terminate the import monopoly system and open up the rice market would be drafted.