THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has launched a rigorous crackdown on a clandestine rice stockpiling operation, unearthing a potential scandal involving misappropriation of subsidies and collusion with local rice mills.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that two rice mills in Kedah fell under scrutiny with one raided yesterday (Oct 11) and another today.
The investigations not only delve into the illegal hoarding of rice but also the suspicious allocation of government subsidies, with suspicions arising that the production and distribution of rice were not in line with the subsidies provided.
He said MACC is not only looking into the illegal stockpiling of rice but also possible misappropriation of subsidies and other parties acting in cahoots with these rice mills to commit these offences.
“When it comes to the subsidies, it is suspected that the production (and distribution of rice) is not commensurate with the subsidies given by the government. I do not deny that more factories may be inspected by MACC,” he told reporters after officiating an event at Dorsett Hotel.
Earlier on Monday (Oct 9), MACC uncovered fraudulent activities carried out by a rice supply company in Kedah, which was said to have disrupted the distribution and sale of the country’s staple food.
The company allegedly involved in disrupting the distribution and sale of Malaysia’s staple food had secured a substantial contract valued at over RM100 mil annually to supply rice within Peninsular Malaysia from a state-owned agricultural entity, according to news portal Free Malaysia Today. – Oct 12, 2023
Main photo credit: BenarNews
