LABUAN: The AP (Approved Permit) requirement for rice imports into Sabah and Labuan should be abolished to stimulate competition.
Only this would assure lower price for the staple food at retail outlets, said former Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament Datuk Hiew King Chieu.
“What is unclear is whether Bernas is still maintaining its profit margins or adjusted it to help the retail price of rice.”
Hiew said opening up the market for Sabah and Labuan would not have any impact on the business of Bernas, given the fact that Sabah’s rice import was only about 290,000 tonnes per year and for Labuan even less.
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