KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 4): The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry has indicated that Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) will remain as the single gatekeeper for rice imports.

Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee said the government is currently in the midst of finalising the terms and conditions of the extension agreement, adding that Bernas will have more social obligations to meet under the new agreement.

"Under the previous concession 10 years ago, there were five social obligations that Bernas had to meet. For the new agreement, there will be additions to the social obligations for Bernas as the single gatekeeper.

"These include requirements surrounding soil nutrition and the setting up of an information system," he said in Parliament.

This was said in response to a question from Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PH-Kulim Bandar Baharu), who asked about the government's plan for Bernas, given that there were only five months left before its concession ends.

Asked about the duration of the new agreement, Kiandee said it is still in discussions.

The single gatekeeper mechanism, which has been in force for over four decades, was put in place as a measure to prevent excessive profiteering and to ensure steady supply of rice.

Several quarters have urged the government to end Bernas' monopoly on the Malaysian rice industry, including the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs, which said rice policies in Malaysia that were intended to achieve food availability and price stability had resulted in windfall losses to the industry.

The previous Pakatan Harapan government had initiated a review into the alleged monopolistic practices by Bernas, but no final decision was made.

For more Parliament stories, click here.