Mock cheques for over RM60m in aid presented by Muhyiddin at PN event

 

SABAH POLLS | Mock cheques for more than RM60 million in aid were presented at a federal government event in Beaufort today that featured Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, Agriculture Minister Ronald Kiandee and Perikatan Nasional's Klias incumbent candidate Isnin Aliasnih.

The aid included over RM20 million in allowances for farmers and fisherfolk announced by Muhyiddin earlier today.

Among the mock cheques presented was one for RM41.1 million covering Special Relief Facility funds for micro and commercial financing involving agro-food entrepreneurs. The cheque bore the logo of Agrobank and the crest of the government of Malaysia.

Another mock cheque was for RM21.1 million in fisherfolk living allowances aid. Muhyiddin said this would benefit 7,581 people.

There was also a mock cheque for RM340,000 in zakat contributions from the National Farmer's Organisation (Nafas) that would benefit 1,700 recipients.

A mock-key for a four-wheel-drive vehicle was also presented as part of a food logistics programme with an allocation of RM860,000.

In his speech, Muhyiddin also announced other fresh aid for fisherfolk and farmers including a RM1.73 million incentive for livestock farmers, a RM2.94 million grant for young "agropreneurs" and RM556,000 incentive for the coffee industry.

Besides that, the prime minister said his PN government had allocated RM40.34 million for fertiliser and pesticide subsidies in Sabah and Sarawak. Malaysiakini was informed that this aid was restored this year after funding was cut off in 2019.

The prime minister also mentioned that the government through Agrobank has allocated RM350 million for the agro-food industry including RM38.7 million for small and medium enterprises in Sabah.

The Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry has also allocated RM37.7 million for a fisherfolk housing programme that will benefit 1,649 Sabahans.

Besides this, Muhyiddin also announced that the National Farmers Fund under Nafas will declare a dividend of 8.1 percent for 2019 with a total payout of RM7.7 million.

He also announced that the fisherfolk living allowance has been raised from RM250 to RM300.

"I hope the incentives, allowances and grants that were announced will help to relieve the burden of agriculture workers and encourage them to remain in the agriculture sector," he said.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin also reiterated his call Sabahans to vote for the same parties which hold power in Putrajaya.

While the federal government will help all states as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, he said that states ruled by parties also holding federal power tended to receive more.

"I don't deny what was said by (former chief minister) Shafie Apdal that the (Sabah) state government could do this by itself but without its partner in the federal government, Perikatan Nasional, only little could be done," he said.

"So which is better ? Support PN or Warisan ? (Must be) PN," he said.

"Although the state government have the allocations, this could not be compared to the assistance and support that could be extended by the federal government," he added.

"Shafie (can) said the federal government must help regardless. True. But only the kind of help as stated in the constitution.

"Any additional assistance for Sabah? The additional assistance must be coming from the government (ruled by) the same parties. One heart, one soul, then we can work more closely. This is the logic," said the prime minister. - Mkini