Padi farmers yet to get ‘even a sen’ of cash aid, says rep

 

The government said the cash aid would come from a RM30 million pledge by tycoon Syed Mokhtar Albukhary after the padi floor price was raised.

PETALING JAYA: 

A Kedah assemblyman claims that padi farmers have yet to receive “even a sen” of the RM15 million in cash aid that the government had promised to distribute before the Aidilfitri celebrations.

Kota Siputeh assemblyman Ashraf Mustaqim Badrul Munir called for swift action by the government to meet this promise. He said the farmers were disappointed and dissatisfied with the federal government.

“I hope that the responsible party will carry out their duty to ensure the welfare of padi farmers, who are the backbone of the nation’s agriculture industry,” the Bersatu man said in a statement.

FMT has sought comment from the agriculture and food security ministry.

The aid was promised by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in February when he said billionaire Syed Mokhtar Albukhary, who controls rice wholesaler Bernas, had agreed to contribute RM30 million to help the government support poor padi farmers.

Syed Mokhtar’s pledge followed an increase in the floor price of padi from RM1,300 per metric tonne to RM1,500, which a farmers association deemed insufficient.

Later that month, Anwar said half of the RM30 million would be distributed to farmers “soon” to alleviate their burdens ahead of the month of Ramadan and Aidilfitri celebrations.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, reportedly expressed hope that the RM15 million in cash aid would be distributed before the start of the fasting month. - FMT