KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 — The government needs to explore alternatives to ensure the stability of the country’s rice industry instead of being overly dependent on the concession agreements of Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas) while inclining towards an open rice market, according to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
This is among the eight recommendations submitted by the PAC to the government for improvement on the receipt of social obligations payment as part of the national padi and rice industry management agreement.
PAC vice-chairman Wong Shu Qi said the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) also needs to monitor the Bernas Social Obligation Trust Fund to ensure distribution and use of funds meet the conditions stipulated in the concession agreement and deed of trust.
“In addition, KPKM must ensure that Bernas distributes the obligation funds on time in line with the concession agreement,” she said in a statement today.
Wong said the PAC’s decision to hold the proceedings, following the Auditor-General’s Report 2021 Series 2 which revealed a loss of public funds amounting to RM37 million, is because the 2021 social obligation funds have not been received.
This is in addition to irregular payments amounting to RM370,000 for the padi price subsidy scheme to deceased rice farmers, she added.
Meanwhile, Wong said the PAC will also call in Human Resources Ministry (KSM) deputy secretary-general (Policy and International) Datuk Amran Ahmad and HRD Corp chief executive Datuk Wira Shahul Dawood as witnesses as part of its probe when it initiates proceedings on the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) on Oct 23.
“The purpose of this proceeding is to examine the management and effectiveness of HRD Corp’s programmes to ensure that government funds and allocations are managed efficiently and effectively under the set guidelines and procedures.
“At the same time, the programmes and training provided will also be scrutinised to ensure that funds and allocations given for the purpose of strengthening competence and skilled manpower are in line with the needs of employers as well as current industrial and economic trends,” she said.
