Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stressed that orders for Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) to share its profits with poor rice farmers were not aimed at destroying the company owner and tycoon, Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary’s empire.

Speaking to reporters after clocking in as the finance minister this morning, Anwar explained that discussions with Syed Mokhtar were held before the decision was made...