Delisting of Bernas will not harm interest of padi farmers

The concession agreement between the government and Syarikat Padi Beras Nasional Berhad (Bernas) will not be invalidated with its delisting from Bursa Malaysia.

Agriculture and Agro-Based Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said five items in the agreement to protect the interests of the farmers would not be affected by the delisting.

"They are managing and maintaining the national stockpile at all times, managing all padi buying centres and becoming the final buyer of padi at the minimum guaranteed price of RM750 per tonne.

"The others are managing the padi price subsidy scheme and managing the bumiputra mill schemes," he said when winding up the debate on the royal address in Dewan Rakyat here, Wednesday.

Ismail Sabri said despite the possible changes in the management and operational structure of Bernas following the delisting, the five items in the agreement would remain.

"Several opposition members of parliament are worried that with the delisting, the government will neglect the welfare of the farmers.

"It is not true, in fact, Bernas had given its undertaking that all in the agreement are maintained."

He also denied the claims of certain quarters that Bernas would handle all matters connected to farmers' development including the development of padi fields and their infrastructure.

This would not happen as the task of developing padi fields and their infrastructure were the responsibilities of government agencies such as he Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority and Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada).