Govt mulls removing Bernas’ monopoly, says minister

government is considering opening up 30 per cent of Padiberas Nasional Bhd’s (Bernas) rice monopoly to other industry players next year.

Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries Minister Datuk Salahuddin Ayub said it was among steps proposed by several parties in view of the end of Bernas’ concession in 2021.

“We do not wish to be hasty in introducing a new model to replace Bernas as it involves the country’s food security,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

He was answering a supplementary question from Rusnah Aluai (PH PKRTangga Batu), who had wanted to know whether the government proposed to have a new national padi and rice authority to take over from Bernas.

Salahuddin said a committee headed by Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali was discussing the new model.

He said the government wanted to end Bernas’ monopoly in line with Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto.

“Our vision is not just to establish another body to replace Bernas — it is much more than that.

“As such, clearer and broader views have to be taken into account.

“The study must look into urbanisation, especially when land and padi fields are decreasing, and the population is expected to reach 45 million by 2050.”

He said the government would continue to defend the five social obligations when Bernas’ monopoly was removed.

These were maintaining and managing the national buffer stock, buying padi from farmers at the guaranteed and minimum price, acting as the last buyer of farmers, managing the subsidy payments to farmers under the Paddy Price Subsidy Scheme and managing the Bumiputera millers scheme, he said.

Salahuddin said the national padi production had not increased compared with other countries because the acreage for padi cultivation was only 600,000ha.

We do not wish to be hasty in introducing a new model to replace Bernas as it involves the country’s food security. DATUK SALAHUDDIN AYUB Agriculture and agro-based industries minister