YB Datuk Seri Dr. Ronald Kiandee, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry received a courtesy visit from YBhg. Dato’ Zambri bin Yaakob, the new Chairman of the National Farmers Organization (NAFAS).
In the meeting session, Dr. Ronald recorded his congratulations to YBhg. Dato’ Zambri Bin Yaakob on his appointment as Chairman of NAFAS effective 13 September 2021 recently.
“I am confident and believe that, armed with his vast experience, especially in the affairs of farmers’ organizations, he will be able to provide the best contribution to further improve the performance of NAFAS in a more excellent direction,” he said.
Also present was YB Datuk Seri Haji Ahmad bin Hamzah, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry I, YBhg. Dato’ Azulita binti Salim, Director General of the Farmers Organization Board and YBrs. Tuan Haji Abu Sujak bin Sahuji, General Manager of NAFAS.
YBhg. Dato Zambri bin Yaakob has been an active member of the Pulau Tawar Area Farmers Organization as early as 1985. During his tenure as a Member, he was entrusted to be the Chairman of the Board of Directors of PPK Pulau Tawar from 1996 until now. He also holds the position of AJP Chairman of the Pahang State Farmers Organization (PASFA) from 21 May 2020 where until now PASFA has shown encouraging performance in economic and social activities that benefit farmers in Pahang.
Appointment of YBhg. Dato’ Zambri Bin Yaakob as the Chairman of NAFAS was made in accordance with Regulation 35 (6) of the Farmers Organizations (Amendment) Regulations 2021 in which he was elected by a majority vote among the Members of the Board of Directors.
A virtual meeting chaired by the Registrar of Farmers’ Organizations on September 12, 2021, attended by 11 members of the NAFAS Board of Directors, unanimously agreed to elect YBhg. Dato ‘Zambri bin Yaakob as the new Chairman of AJP NAFAS through secret voting conducted online.
According to Dr Ronald, this appointment also proves that the power to elect the Chairman of the Board of Directors has been returned to the farmers’ own leadership and the election has been made democratically. This is following the amendments to the rules implemented by the Government to ensure that the right to vote is returned to the farmer members themselves as in the previous rules before being amended in 2019.
Through this amendment as well, all Board Members at all levels are only eligible to hold office for 3 terms only and then have to rest for 1 term before being eligible for re-election. These are among the improvements that have been implemented to ensure good governance at all levels.
The election of the Board of Directors at all levels of the Farmers’ Organization which will be implemented in the near future will adopt the Farmers’ Organizations (Amendment) Regulations 2020 which came into force on 1 January 2021. The election of leadership at all levels of the farmers’ movement through the General Meeting is now progressing well. based on this new amendment.
On the same occasion, Dr Ronald also expressed his highest appreciation and thanks to the former Chairman of NAFAS, YBrs. Dr Anis bin Mahmud for his contribution and commitment throughout his tenure at NAFAS.
