Farmers file first legal action against PH government

They are challenging the government's decision to suspend their group, saying it was unfair and not done according to the law.

Lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla says this is an ‘interesting case’ as the decision was made in the midst of the transition of power to the PH government.

KUALA LUMPUR: A group of farmers have filed a legal challenge against the government over its decision to suspend their association, in what is believed to be the first case filed against the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration following its victory at the May 9 polls.

The 11 men, led by Sylvester Entri Anak Maran, claimed that the decision to suspend their group was unfair and was not done according to the Farmers Organisation Act.

“There is no provision under the law to suspend us, and the reason cited, which was ‘having serious problems with the management and board of directors’, was vague,” they said in their judicial review application.

The men were all directors of the National Farmers Association, which was suspended on May 26 by the Registrar of Farmers’ Organisations after an audit conducted between March and April.

They filed an appeal against the suspension on June 7, but have yet to receive a reply from Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub.

Their lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla said the men filed the judicial review application on July 6 as Salahuddin failed to reply within 14 days of their appeal.

“This is an interesting case where the decision was made in the midst of a transition of power to the PH government,” he said.

The farmers are seeking a court declaration that the minister’s lack of response to their appeal is a breach of his statutory duty.

They also want the court to compel Salahuddin to respond.

High Court judge Nordin Hassan fixed July 30 to hear their bid to obtain leave for judicial review proceedings. -FMT