Factory mixing broken, local rice raided

ALOR SETAR - The Kedah Padi and Beras Regulatory Body seizes about 10 metric tonnes of broken rice worth RM21,187 from a factory in Kota Sarang Semut, Alor Setar.

Padi and Beras Regulatory Body director-general Datuk Azman Mahmood said checks on the factory at 1.30pm uncovered 96 bags of broken rice in addition to the reported stock did not match the physical stock found.

He said the results of the inspection also found that some of the broken rice was believed to have been mixed with local grade rice believed to be distributed to wholesalers.

"This is a serious offence and the result of the investigation, the supervisor of the factory also admitted that the broken rice had been mixed with local grade rice for the purpose of reducing costs.

"They want to make easy profits and our entire factory has been confiscated for further investigation," he told Sinar on Sunday.

Azman stated action was initiated under Section (82) of Act 522 (Rice and Rice Control Act 1994) and Regulation 12 (b) PU(A) 626 (Wholesale and Retail Licensing 1996) which if found guilty could be fined RM25,000 for the offence first while for the second offence not more than RM50,000.

It was learnt that the raid was made following Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh’s revelation who had disclosed that parties were disguising broken rice as local rice because it could be sold at an unregulated price.

"Thank you for the information provided by Dr Muhamad Akmal, Padi and Beras Regulatory Body will not compromise with those who violate Act 552.

"We also welcome any party who has information about activities like this to report to us with the identity of each informant also kept confidential," he said.