The movement’s president says this will provide the government with an alternative solution to the problem of ensuring food sufficiency.

Padiberas Nasional Bhd is currently the nation’s sole importer of rice.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian National Cooperative Movement (Angkasa) is seeking to negotiate with the government to be the sole importer of rice for its 7.3 million members.

Its president, Abdul Fattah Abdullah, said several international networks, including those in Thailand, were ready to help Angkasa.

He said Angkasa is not looking to disturb “other concessions” which the government has given to certain groups.

“We hope to negotiate with the government for a segment solely for cooperative members. This requires discussions with the related parties,” Harian Metro quoted him as saying.

Padiberas Nasional Bhd is the nation’s sole importer of rice.

Fattah said Angkasa’s offer would provide the government with an alternative solution to the problem of ensuring food sufficiency.

At present, he said, Angkasa is rearing cattle and chickens as part of its activities.

“We have a chicken-breeding pilot project in Pahang with a cooperative producing 32,000 chicks.

“The Dairy Cattle & Heifers Park project has 54 cattle now. Since the start of this initiative, a total of 126,271 litres of milk have been produced,” he said.

He said Angkasa is also developing several cattle-breeding projects in Kedah and Perlis.

Published Date: April 20, 2024