KUALA LUMPUR (July 7): The government is proposing several amendments to its rice control law that will give it the ability to better enforce price controls on the grain.

The Control of Padi and Rice (Amendment) Bill 2026, tabled in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday, proposes empowering the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to prescribe rice grades and their corresponding price controls.

Rice is a controlled item in Malaysia, meaning its movement and pricing are regulated by the government. Currently, local white rice is capped at a retail price of RM2.60 per kilogramme.

If the amendments go through, fines for offences or non-compliance with the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994 will also see a substantial jump.

Under the current law, general penalties stand at up to RM15,000 (first offence) and RM25,000 (repeat offences) for individuals, while companies face up to RM25,000 and RM50,000.

Fines are now proposed to be increased to RM250,000 (first offence) and RM500,000 (repeat offences) for individuals, while companies can be penalised by up to RM500,000 and RM1 million.

The proposed amendments also include empowering the minister to make regulations relating to the licensing of paddy purchasers, prescription of rice grades and the price control for graded rice, as well as matters relating to the prohibition, regulation or control of the movement of paddy or rice.

The amendments also proposed that breaches of the regulations be deemed an offence that carries a fine of up to RM15,000 or a jail term of up to six months.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, who tabled the bill, said its second and third readings will be held during this parliamentary session — which runs until July 16.

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