Meat import companies: 60pct of AP holders are bumi - minister

 

About 60 percent of the approved permit (AP) holders involved in meat importing activities are bumiputera companies, said Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Ronald Kiandee.

He said among the bumiputera AP holders are Ramly Food Processing Sdn Bhd and Darabif Meat Company which are capable of importing large quantities of meat.

“In terms of the quantity of (imported meat), it depends on the ability of the company. These two companies are able to import meat in large quantities and are able to compete with non-bumiputera companies,” he told reporters after a working visit to the Kuala Langat area farmers’ organisation (PPK) in Selangor today.

He was commenting on the claims made by the former deputy minister of agriculture and agro-based industry Tajuddin Abdul Rahman in the media recently that only 10 percent of AP holders to import meat are bumiputera companies.

Meanwhile, commenting on the AP holders blacklisted for violating conditions, Kiandee said the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry (Mafi) was still waiting for investigation results from relevant agencies.

“We are still waiting for the results of the investigation. The case related to this meat AP is being investigated by several agencies including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Royal Malaysia Police, the Royal Malaysian Customs, and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs.

“If there is a violation of AP conditions, Mafi will take stern action,” he said.

Recently, Mafi was reportedly ready to revoke the APs of companies if they were found to be involved in the frozen meat distribution cartel without a halal certificate and will not tolerate any ministry staff involved in the issue.

- Bernama