Bernas urges government to conduct comprehensive study before opening up rice market

SHAH ALAM: The government should conduct a comprehensive study before making any decision on its plans to open the rice market as it involves many linkages, said Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) CEO Ismail Mohamed Yusoff.
The government had recently formed a special task force and committees to look into the new model to replace Bernas' role as a sole importer via its "single gatekeeping mechanism".
"At the end of the day, it is not about Bernas, but it is about the interests of the farmers, consumers as well as food security," Ismail said at a media briefing here today.
"To come up with a new model not because of any failure of the (current) system, is really something that need to be looked into," he added, noting so far the special committees have not contacted him to discuss on the issue.