The Malaysian government tabled the Control of Padi and Rice (Amendment) Bill 2026 in Dewan Rakyat on July 7 to enhance enforcement of rice price controls and expand regulation over rice grading, licensing, pricing, and movement [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Under current law, the retail price of local white rice is capped at RM2.60 per kilogramme [1].

The amendments propose empowering the Agriculture and Food Security Minister to prescribe rice grades and impose price controls for different grades. The minister will also gain authority to regulate licensing of paddy purchasers and control or prohibit the movement of paddy or rice [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].

Currently, the maximum fines for breaches are RM15,000 for individuals on first offence and up to RM50,000 for companies on repeat offences [1, 3]. The bill proposes dramatic increases in penalties to up to RM250,000 for individuals on first offence, RM500,000 for repeat offences, and up to RM1 million for companies on repeat offences [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Offenders may also face imprisonment of up to six months or both fine and jail [1, 3, 4, 5].

Agriculture and Food Security Deputy Minister 陈泓缣 said the current fines "are too low to deter large-scale violations," adding that raising penalties is needed to strengthen enforcement [4]. He also stressed the government will not tolerate actions undermining the stability of staple food supplies or profiteering and called on parliamentarians to support the bill to protect farmers' welfare and food security [4].

The amendments address challenges from extreme climate conditions, geopolitical instability, supply chain disruptions, and rising living costs to ensure efficiency in regulating the rice sector and securing supply stability [4, 5]. They include revisions to five main provisions on penalties, price controls, licensing, grading standards, and movement restrictions, plus a retention clause protecting ongoing investigations and judicial processes [3, 4, 5].

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the bill’s second and third readings will be held before the parliamentary session ends on July 16, 2026 [1].