Government Looking Into Claims Of ‘Plastic Rice’

The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN), along with the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry are now investigating the existence of ‘plastic rice’ being sold at a supermarket in Sandakan, Sabah.

This is following a viral video posted on Tiktok from a man claiming that he was sold a bag of ‘plastic rice’ at the supermarket.

According to a report from The Borneo Post, Acting Domestic Trade and Costs of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali stated that his ministry has taken note of the claims, and has directed for an immediate investigation.

Armizan said that the KPDN Sandakan branch and the Paddy and Rice Control Division are conducting the investigation.

“The premises which were alleged to sell the plastic rice have been visited and additional information has also been acquired from the complainant who made the viralled video,” said Armizan yesterday.

The ‘plastic rice’ issue has also popped up in Sibu, where reports have said that a rice supplier has filed an official complaint to the Padi and Rice Regulatory Division (KPB) at the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.

In the report, the rice supplier claimed that they were affected by another viral video on Tiktok alleging the existence of ‘plastic rice’ in the market.

“Investigations were carried out by the (KPB) Authority today and samples of the rice involved were taken at the supplier’s premises to be sent to the Chemistry Department for analysis,” Sibu KPB branch chief Mohd Izzwan Ibrahim said, according to reports.

Meanwhile, Sazarice, the rice supplier implicated in the viral video in Sandakan has also issued a statement on Facebook, denying the claims of ‘plastic rice’ from their side and urging the public to not be influenced by fake news.