KUALA LUMPUR: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has recorded 94 online advertisements that were taken down by e-commerce platform providers related to the sale of smuggled and unlicensed rice.
The advertisements taken down by the e-commerce platforms from Oct 1, 2023 until May 31, this year.
"The inspection conducted through the Padi and Rice Supervision Office found that online sellers were selling rice obtained from unauthorised sources and did not have retail licences issued by the office," it said in the statement.
The ministry added that the rice is suspected to have been imported into the country without government approval.
"This action constitutes an offence under Regulation 10(1)(a) of the Rice Control Regulations (Wholesale and Retail Licensing) 1996," it said.
The ministry added that rice is a controlled item under the Rice Control Act 1994 (Act 522).
"Sellers of controlled items such as rice using e-commerce platforms are bound by enforceable legislation, namely Act 522 and its regulations.
"Any transactions involving controlled items at the manufacturing, wholesale, and retail levels, including online sales, require a licence issued by the director-general of the Padi and Rice Supervision Office," it said.
It also mentioned the absence of a controlled item licence is an offence under Regulation 3, of the Rice Control Regulations (Wholesale and Retail Licensing) 1996.
The offce continuously monitors sales activities using online platforms in collaboration with the relevant e-commerce platform providers to curb these activities from proliferating.
"The office also reminds traders that online sales of controlled rice items must comply with any current legislation in force.
"If found guilty, the parties involved can be fined up to RM25,000 or imprisoned for a term not exceeding five years, or both," it said.