He said that would help resolve the issue of local rice supply shortages, Harian Metro reported.
According to Sanusi, the supply issue would persist unless there was real commitment from the relevant agencies, particularly in tackling rice cartels.
He also alleged that the practice of repackaging local rice as imported rice has led to the continued absence of local rice in the market.
“The people are asking, ‘What is the menteri besar doing about the missing rice’ because the padi is grown in Kedah. But the state government has no power over the matter.
“So, why don’t they (federal government) give me authority over rice?
“When the Muda Agricultural Development Authority was established in the 1970s, this agency took control of the padi fields,” he was quoted as saying at an event in Alor Setar last night.
Sanusi said many federal agencies under the agriculture and food security ministry are involved in the industry.
“They are tasked with issuing licences related to buying and storing padi and rice, as well as to operate mills,” he said.
He also claimed that padi farmers continue to be trapped in a cycle of hardship due to being “tied” to rice mills through the “kangchu” or “kunca” system.
“Don’t they (the government) know that there are cartels repackaging local rice as imported rice? Surely, they must know because we all know about it. Even the villagers know about this.
“There’s obviously no label on individual rice grains stating that it is either local or imported. The labelling is on the packaging. The cartels switch the packaging and charge from RM43 per (10kg) bag (for imported rice),” he said.
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