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.