ALOR STAR: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry will announce new initiatives aimed at addressing cartel and monopoly activities in Malaysia's rice and padi industry.
Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said that the programmes were in the final stages of study, with an official announcement expected early next year.
"The study is now at its most intensive stage. InsyaAllah, our ministry's secretary-general is heading the programme, and we will announce these new initiatives early next year," he told reporters after witnessing the signing of a concession agreement for infrastructure development to support five cultivation seasons every two years in padi fields under the Muda Agriculture Development Authority (Mada).
The agreement, signed between the ministry, Mada, and MMC Engineering, involves the development and maintenance of 15 blocks of tertiary irrigation systems, costing RM526.37 million, as well as the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Pedu Dam at RM234.86 million.
This project, worth RM761.23 million, is the first phase of a RM1 billion plan to enhance rice production in the Mada area, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the 2025 Budget tabling in October.
Mohamad was asked to comment on the conclusion of a report by the Malaysian Competition Commission (MyCC) into cartel and monopoly activities within the rice and padi industry.
Last month, Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh told the Dewan Rakyat that MyCC had completed its investigation.
While details of the findings were not disclosed, she indicated that the report might uncover the abuse of power by companies controlling rice and padi supplies.