Mat Sabu shoots down rice sale ban proposal: 'Foreigners have to eat too'

PARLIAMENT | The government has shot down a proposal by Umno Youth chief Akmal Saleh to restrict foreigners from buying local rice, saying that they too have to eat.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu reminded the Malacca state exco member and those who believe in such a move that foreign workers are also contributing to the country’s development.

“There is no decision on this proposal yet. Because foreigners have to eat too.

“Do not forget that their work and services here also contribute to the development of our country,” the minister said in his speech during a special Parliament session on the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review.

Mohamad (Pakatan Harapan-Kota Raja) was responding to a question posed by Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (Bersatu-Machang) on whether the government would consider the suggestion.

Last week, Akmal reportedly suggested that the government restrict the sale of local rice exclusively to Malaysians due to rising prices driven by a market shortage.

He later clarified that this issue was not a matter of discrimination, stating priority should be given to Malaysians.

Meanwhile, during Mohamad’s speech in the Dewan Rakyat, he said the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has found no evidence that local rice had been repacked and disguised as import products by industry players.

According to the minister, they have launched an investigation into the matter following allegations that unscrupulous business operators had switched the labels on local rice so they could be sold at much higher prices.

“We have launched an operation to ensure that rules are followed by each and every level of the rice supply chain.

“The operation includes inspections on rice factories and wholesalers.

“However, from this investigation, the ministry did not find any solid evidence to prove the allegation,” he said.

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