While the mixing of local and imported rice has been a known practice tracing back to the 1970s, there are no existing laws outlining prosecution against offenders, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu.

Stressing that the issue should not be characterised as one unique to the current administration, the minister said the historical trace was revealed in a study on the rice and paddy industry conducted by the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) early last year.