KUALA LUMPUR – Umno backbencher Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman today called for the Finance Ministry to review its concession agreement with Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas), alleging that the company is raking in too much profits while ignoring some of its duties.
Speaking during the Budget 2021 debate today, Tajuddin (Pasir Salak-Barisan Nasional) questioned why the ministry always agrees to continue the Bernas concession each year.
“Has the Finance Ministry seen what Bernas is doing? We continue its concession every year. It seems that it (Bernas) always has ways to continue its concession. This shouldn’t be the way.
“Even if you want to allow it to continue, it shouldn’t be taking too much profit while ignoring its responsibilities. We have an agreement with Bernas where it is not only the buyer of last resort.
“It has been given the concession and acquired so much profit annually because it is supposed to develop the rice farmers and assist them in the forms of factories, irrigation and such. I think Bernas has ignored this,” Tajuddin said.
Earlier, he also called the government to look into the possibility of providing centralised residential areas for rice farmers.
Tajuddin, a former deputy minister, said rice farmers’ houses are scattered all over their villages, making it difficult and inefficient for the government to develop infrastructure in those areas and promptly deliver assistance.
He added that organised and centralised residential districts for the farmers can lead to urbanisation near their homes that enables greater micro-economic development and opportunities as well as more job prospects. – The Vibes, November 17, 2020
