Malaysia seizes smuggled Thai rice

Malaysia seizes smuggled Thai rice

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia has seized 216 tons of
smuggled rice from Thailand since July and pledged to continue a
crackdown on the contraband grain, a government minister said on
Wednesday.

Last month, the government set up a task force whose members
include police, customs and excise department, port authorities
and Malaysia's largest rice trader, Padiberas Nasional Bhd
(Bernas) in order to curb smuggling.

The rice is illegally brought into Kelantan state, which
borders Thailand, before being transported to the other states in
Peninsular Malaysia.

Farmers have complained the smuggled rice could undermine
prices during the harvests in July/August, when around 500,000
tons of rice will be harvested.