SIBU: The decision of Kawalselia Padi Dan Beras (National Padi and Rice Enforcement Unit) to allow only five out of the 40 rice wholesalers in the central region to sell the national subsidised rice here starting July 1 has kicked up a controversy.
“The new directive effectively puts the remaining rice wholesalers out of the spotlight as they have to get their own quotas from the five appointed rice wholesalers instead of Beras Corporation Sdn Bhd,” said an unnamed source.
By that, they had to pay an additional RM2 as packaging cost to the five rice wholesalers, leaving them making a meager profit of RM1 per 10kg bag, he explained.
“On top of that, they have to pay cash to the five wholesalers and no longer enjoy a 30-day bank guarantee issued to Beras as was the practice before the new system,” he said.
The source described the new system as unfair and against the government policy of providing free and fair trade to all.
He recalled the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerisms (MDTCC) had in September last year passed the Fair Trade Act in Parliament, which promised all traders equal rights and positions to perform trade transaction.
“The new system contravened the Act and hence should never be allowed.
“This is a gross insult to the Malaysian government,” the source said further.
It also puzzled him that the new system only applied to rice wholesalers in Kuching and Sibu.
He also doubted whether the five rice wholesalers would be able to cope with the quota of 1,600 metric tonnes within three weeks for the central region.
“I appeal to the elected people’s representatives to step in and help the rice wholesalers here.”