He said the alleged practices had not only sparked a crisis, but had also caused anxiety among farmers and consumers.

“This issue needs a comprehensive solution,” Muhyiddin, a former agriculture minister, said in a statement.

He also suggested that a white paper be tabled to look into the issues affecting the sustainability of the industry.

In February, a farmers’ association appealed to the government to give padi farmers a RM300 incentive on top of the new padi floor price of RM1,500 per metric tonne.

Pertubuhan Persaudaraan Pesawah Malaysia said the new floor price was insufficient to address the hike in the operating costs of padi farmers.

The sector has also been plagued by the practice of mixing local and imported rice to sell at higher prices, which the agriculture and food security ministry said had been ongoing for the past 50 years.

In January, the Malay Economic Action Council (MTEM) called for an independent commission to address concerns over issues plaguing the padi industry.

MTEM chairman Norsyahrin Hamidon said that to date, no systemic or structural changes had been implemented to reduce Malaysia’s reliance on imported rice, elevate the livelihoods of padi farmers, or sustain the survival of Malay millers.