KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat session today kicked off with a discussions on the purported monopoly of rice imports by Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas).
With the government stressing that the monopoly by Bernas is important to the country, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Pakatan Harapan-Port Dickson) said the decision had prevented paddy farmers from getting the necessary assistance.
"Recently, it was announced that there is a monopoly of imported rice by Bernas. One company is raking in millions of ringgit in profits.
"Why can't we channel the aid through the farmers' associations? They know better what they need. Why do we continue allowing monopoly (of rice imports) to rich people?" Anwar asked in the Lower House.
Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (Perikatan Nasional-Beluran) in response said the government decided to extend Bernas' concession as the country's sole importer because the company would be able to ensure sufficient rice supply in Malaysia.
He said the decision which was made in 2020 compelled Bernas to fulfil several obligations, including to provide assistance to local paddy farmers.
"The government's decision is the right one because Bernas has the obligation to ensure stable rice supply in the country.
"This is not an unfair concession. Bernas has 10 obligations to fulfil, among which include helping farmers and managing various other obligations," Ronald said.
Anwar then interjected, saying that farmers were not getting the assistance that they should.
"But it's (the assistance) not happening. Let the farmers' associations help. Why ask the big 'taukeh' to manage all problems related to paddy farms?
"There should be a review and don't let the 'taukeh' do the reviews. Reviews must come from the poor farmers themselves."
Ronald then reiterated his earlier statement that Bernas had the obligation to assist farmers nationwide, adding the decision to continue the company's concession would benefit the country.
Later in a press conference in the parliament building, Anwar along with 14 other opposition members of parliament said the government should not extend Bernas' monopoly concession for another 10 years.
He said Bernas had allegedly been making billions of ringgit in profits since 2018 while Malaysian farmers are still in the "poor family household" category.
"Their (Bernas) accumulated profits in 2018 was RM1.2 billion, RM1.3 billion in 2019 and RM798 million in 2020. After that, nett dividends of RM670 million were given to shareholders.
"This is a monopoly that provides too much profit to one company, a rich company, when at the same time all 150,000 farmers in this country are still considered the poorest of the poor."
Datuk Mahfuz Omar (Pakatan Harapan-Pokok Sena) who was present during the media conference supported Anwar's stand, claiming that Bernas had not been helping farmers in a meaningful way.
"The government is not serious about food security issue. This is a disappointment because Bernas only help manage the subsidised paddy price allocated by the government.
"Bernas is not spending its own money at all to help farmers, so how are they helping farmers? The ones helping farmers are the tother agencies," Mahfuz said.