The Sarawak government is calling for the Federal Government to restore the power to appoint members of the Board of Directors (AJP) for the State Farmers’ Association (PPN) and the Area Farmers’ Associations (PPK) in the state.
During the launch of the Sarawak PPN building today, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg stated that regaining this authority is essential not only to fulfil the conditions under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) but also to expedite the development process in Sarawak’s agricultural sector. He remarked, “If the fishermen (state fishermen’s association) have been granted power, then the State and Area Farmers’ Associations should also be empowered.”
The Premier mentioned that the Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development (MFICORD) in Sarawak, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi, would discuss this request with the Attorney General of Sarawak, Datuk Saferi Ali, to detail the proposal for submission to the Federal Government.
In the same event, the Chairman of the Sarawak PPN, Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, noted that previously, the minister responsible for agriculture in Sarawak had the authority to appoint the AJP for both the PPN and PPK. However, this power was revoked in 2018 and transferred to the Minister of Agriculture of Malaysia, despite agriculture being under the State List in the Federal Constitution.
He emphasised that, “In the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the Unity Government, the power to appoint AJP should be delegated to the Minister of MFICORD so that the administration of PPN and PPK in Sarawak can be aligned with the policies and direction of the Sarawak government.”
This transfer of power is expected to contribute towards achieving Sarawak’s vision of becoming a net exporter of food-based products and raising the income of farming families to at least RM6,000 per month by 2030.
