Umno Youth's rice monopoly criticism amuses Amanah counterpart

Summary

• Amanah Youth finds it funny that Umno Youth is now proposing to break up Bernas' local rice monopoly, given that the latter is responsible for it in the first place.

• Vice-chief Hazmi Hassan says the government is taking measures to alleviate the people's burden but comprehensive reform of the industry is needed.

• He adds that critics should support efforts to reform the local rice industry instead of merely criticising the government.

Amanah Youth has found it amusing that its Umno counterpart is now attentive to the people's plight when it comes to issues arising from Bernas' rice monopoly.

The wing's vice-chief Hazmi Hassan reminded Umno Youth that the party was responsible for Bernas' hold on the local rice industry.

"It's quite funny that when Bernas' monopoly is being debated, Umno Youth suddenly became the people's champion. Who extended Bernas' concession to 2031? Were you not part of the government then?

"Who had been sleeping soundly for decades while the people were forced to rely on this draconian system that you defended?" Hazmi (above) said in a statement.

Yesterday, Umno Youth exco Wan Zuhir Ghazali revived a proposal to break Bernas' monopoly and told Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu to take responsibility after the mixing of local rice and imported rice was proven.

Mohamad, however, noted that rice mixing had been a known practice dating back to the 1970s, and there are no laws that can be used to prosecute offenders.

‘Be mature’

Hazmi further said the government had been taking measures to address the situation and Umno Youth should be mature in its discussion of the issue.

These include stepping up local rice exports, RM150 million in subsidies to stabilise supply, streamlining distribution to ensure market availability, and cross-agency collaboration in enforcement.

"Is it enough? No. Is it easy? No. But this is the work that Amanah believes needs to be continued; not empty rhetoric but through bold measures and long-term solutions," he said.

Hazmi added that if critics are sincere about helping the people, then they should support the push for comprehensive reforms in the industry.

He added that naysayers shouldn't just criticise government policies and record TikTok videos about it, as "the people are hungry from the lack of rice, not drama".

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