On Monday morning (January 27), representatives of rice farmers demanded that the government re-examine the minimum purchase price of rice. They also submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar at the Prime Minister's Department in Putrajaya, urging the Prime Minister to intervene in the rice procurement price policy.
The chairman of the Malaysian Farmers Association (PeSAWAH), Abdullah Said, later informed the media that the Prime Minister's political secretary, Sim Tze Tzin, met with 10 farmer representatives and received the memorandum on behalf of the Prime Minister's Department, indicating that the department promised to intervene in this matter.
“The Prime Minister's representative told us that they have agreed with our two demands, will discuss the matter, and make a decision soon.”
Abdullah mentioned that due to the rising costs of diesel and rice seeds, the current minimum purchase price is no longer applicable. He also opposed the upcoming presentation of the Seed Quality Act in the House of Representatives as it was formulated without consultation with the farmers.
The association also suggested raising the paddy purchase minimum price from RM1,300 to RM1,800 per ton.
Additionally, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, stated via WhatsApp to the media that he would address the rice price issue facing the organization and directly meet with the farmers.
Additionally, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, stated via WhatsApp to the media that he would address the rice price issue facing the organization and directly meet with the farmers.
Originally, hundreds of rice farmers gathered at the Prime Minister's Department in Putrajaya on Monday morning (January 27), but due to the state visit of Indonesian President Prabowo coinciding with the event, the Prime Minister and police requested a rescheduling to avoid affecting the state visit. The gathering was then moved to the Agriculture and Food Ministries with 10 representatives presenting the memorandum to the Prime Minister's representative.