ALOR STAR: The Kedah government has been advised to apply for licences from the Padi and Rice Regulatory Board under the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to produce Kedah Rice.
Muda Agriculture Development Authority (Mada) chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor should apply for the licences for the purpose instead of playing the blame game.
"The national padi and rice industry is bound by Act 522," Ismail said, referring to the Padi and Rice Act 1994.
"The state government will have to apply for a licence from the Padi and Rice Regulatory Board, which enforces Act 522, to set up a rice mill and to process padi into rice.
"Then, producing rice for wholesalers and retailers will require a separate licence.
"The state government needs to apply for the licences from the Padi and Rice Regulatory Board so that the board can evaluate the application."
Ismail expressed shock over Sanusi's claim that there was a plot to block the state government's plan to produce Kedah Rice.
"As far as I know, there has been no application. So how can the menteri besar claim that there are parties trying to block the state government's plan?
"I think the menteri besar is trying to cover up his own weaknesses by blaming others.
"This stems from his prejudice against the Madani government."
Earlier today, Sanusi told the Kedah State Legislative Assembly that there was a plot by certain parties to block the state government's plan to produce Kedah Rice.
Sanusi reportedly said there were attempts to make sure nobody sold rice to Kedah after he announced the plan to produce Kedah Rice last month.
On Feb 18, Sanusi said the state government would study the possibility of introducing Kedah Rice to ensure people in the state had access to cheaper local white rice, emulating Terengganu's Ganu Rice.
Sanusi said it was a rational suggestion as Kedah is the largest rice producer in the country, contributing 45 per cent to the national production.
