MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
The Commitment to Gatekeeping the Padi and Rice Industry
After more than two decades of developing the local paddy and rice sector, Padiberas Nasional Bhd (BERNAS) pledges its commitment to continue guarding the interest of the industry.
In a statement yesterday, BERNAS, which commemorates its 25th anniversary on the 7th July this month, assured that the staple food supply will always be the company top priority list.
"Since the privatisation in January 1996, BERNAS has fully taken over the social and commercial duties from the Lembaga Padi dan Beras Negara (LPN) while the government keep control on the matters involving policies and law enforcement," the company said.
BERNAS also explains that the company shall continue its job in the post-harvest activities, including matters related to the farmers wellbeing.
The company said it will continue to work with the government agencies such as Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA), Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA), Integrated Agriculture Development Area (IADA), Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) and other agencies to assist the industry in fulfilling the government aspiration.
LPN is the state entity established in 1971 that was authorised to regulate the paddy and rice sector in the country. To make the industry further sustain, in 1994, the government decided to corporatised BERNAS and takeover the LPN role. BERNAS was subsequently privatised two years later.
"In line with the privatisation agreement, BERNAS continues to preserve its responsibilities to the people in facilitating the industry development.”
"The privatisation has helped to ease the government spending and at the same time, increasing the efficiency and productivity of this industry," BERNAS said.
Besides being the sole importer, BERNAS has also paid off its social responsibility to farmers.