Johari Abdul shocked at 50% cut in farmers’ subsidies

(FMT) – Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul says he was surprised when he came to know subsidies for farmers would be slashed by half under Budget 2019, saying this will affect farmers.

“This will cause problems to the farmers. Already, they are under pressure but cutting the rice subsidy will make this worse.

“I know that if we cut such subsidies, it will put pressure on farmers.

“I am very surprised that no direct subsidies were given to them,” the Pakatan Harapan backbencher said today when debating on behalf of the government for the Supply Bill 2019 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

According to the PKR leader, subsidies for farmers in the Budget 2019 have been cut by at least 50% compared with the previous year’s allocations in Barisan Nasional’s Budget 2018.

“This issue is very close to my heart; I am the son of two farmers.

“I am quite aggrieved how the fertiliser subsidy for padi for the next year was cut by 50%. We all know that farmers are heavily dependent on government subsidies.

“I am convinced that it will also cause productivity to be affected. I request the government to take another look at this,” he said.

Prior to that, Johari thanked Shamsul Anuar Nasarah (BN-Lenggong) who joked that his “style” and “speech” was “menteri besar material”.

Johari later expressed hope his words would become a reality. This was met with applause in Parliament.

Johari, who is the Gurun assemblyman, previously said that he had no intention of replacing Mukhriz Mahathir as Kedah menteri besar, amid rumours that he would helm the post following a Cabinet reshuffle.

Johari’s comment echoes that of several opposition leaders such as former PM Najib Razak who have similarly slammed Putrajaya for not placing special emphasis on fishermen and padi farmers.

Last year, RM6.5 billion was allocated to farmers, plantation and agriculture workers, fishermen, small farmers, breeders and rubber tappers, including RM2.3 billion for aid and incentives such as fertilisers.

The new budget sees some RM47 million for research and development on seeds, grains and fruits; RM18 million as incentives for the automation of the agrofood industry; and RM52 million for entrepreneur programmes and agro-industry training.