Malaysia : New Bill seeks tougher controls on padi and rice sector
Malaysia tabled the Padi and Rice Control (Amendment) Bill 2026, empowering authorities to set minimum and maximum rice prices, regulate grades, licensing and grain movement. The Bill also increases penalties to curb hoarding, smuggling and market manipulation, strengthening national food security.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Padi and Rice Control (Amendment) Bill 2026 will grant the director-general the authority to enforce minimum and maximum prices for padi and rice.
Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said the powers, subject to the Agriculture Minister’s approval, would enable swift intervention against market manipulation.
He said the amendment was crucial in preventing price distortions that could affect padi farmers and consumers.
“The amendment will also empower the minister to determine rice grades and regulate prices for those grades,” he said when tabling the Bill for its second reading in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Chan said the proposed amendments would increase the general penalty for offences where no specific punishment is provided.
“The current fine is too low and no longer serves as an effective deterrent against large-scale irregularities,” he said.
He said the Bill also sought to expand the minister’s powers to introduce more comprehensive regulations covering the licensing of padi buyers, the grading and pricing of rice, as well as controls on the physical movement of padi and rice to curb hoarding and smuggling.
Chan said breaches of the regulations could be punishable by a fine of up to RM15,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both.
He said the amendments reflected the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s padi and rice industry through tougher enforcement and higher penalties.
“The government is sending a clear message that there will be no compromise against any party seeking to undermine the stability of the nation’s staple food supply for personal gain,” he said.
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Source : New Straits Times
