MyCC clarifies position on issues surrounding paddy and rice industry

12 April 2024

On 10 January 2024, the Malaysia Competition Commission (“MyCC”) issued a press statement to clarify that it has not, at the time of writing, initiated any investigation against any parties, nor has it received any information relating to allegations of anti-competitive practices within the paddy and rice industry in Malaysia from any parties, including the Office of Paddy and Rice Monitoring of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia (“Authority”). The MyCC had confirmed in the press statement that a meeting will be held with the Authority on this issue.

Based on the press statement, the MyCC had in October 2023 written to the Authority to express its readiness to address competition issues within the paddy and rice industry, if any. The MyCC further urged external parties to not speculate on the matter, especially in light of the Authority’s issuance of a formal statement on 4 January 2024 which states that the Authority has not found any competition concerns within the paddy and rice industry in Malaysia.