THE Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) ‘Ops Campur’ enforcement operation, has to date inspected 308 premises and opened 99 investigation papers to target errant rice importers and packers suspected of mixing imported rice with local varieties.
Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali announced that during the operation, 99 rice deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples were collected. Of these, 17 samples have been sent to the Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Research Centre at the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) for analysis.
“We have entrusted MARDI with conducting DNA tests on the rice samples, and the analysis will be done in stages. Should the DNA of local rice be detected in any sample, legal action will follow against the parties involved,” Armizan said during a press conference after attending the 2025 Consumer NGOs Engagement Day.
The operation is being carried out under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 (Act 730), which permits legal action against anyone found to have misrepresented the contents, type, or name of a product, particularly in cases of false trade descriptions.
Under Section 5 of the Act, individuals found guilty of violating the regulations face a fine of up to RM100,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both, while companies involved could face fines as high as RM250,000.
Armizan explained the legal grounds for using Act 730 in this investigation, stating that the mixing of imported and local rice constitutes an offence under false trade descriptions. “If rice is sold under the label of imported rice but contains local rice, it is a case of false trade description,” he emphasized.
This move aims to address growing concerns about the integrity of rice products and ensure that consumers receive accurate information about the products they purchase.
KPDN remains committed to taking strict action against those found breaching consumer protection regulations. - March 14, 2025
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