KUALA LUMPUR – A group of padi farmers nationwide have handed over a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) demanding that the base padi purchase price be raised to RM1,800 per tonne.
According to media reports, 10 representatives from the Pertubuhan Persaudaraan Pesawah Malaysia (Pesawah) had submitted their list of demands to the government earlier this morning.
Other peaceful protesters are understood to have gathered outside the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry in Putrajaya after they were warned against disrupting Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit.
Pesawah secretary Nurfitri Amir Muhammad was quoted as saying that the memorandum was handed over by representatives from various states under the watchful eye of police forces.
“We regret that the information regarding (Prabowo’s) visit was not communicated to us earlier by either the PMO or the police. This is despite correspondence and information on Pesawah’s visit today having been sent beforehand,” Nurfitri added.
The gathering and a press conference were initially scheduled to be held outside the PMO building but were moved to the compound of the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry at the last minute.
Kota Siputeh assemblyman Mohd Ashraf Mustaqim Badrul Munir and Parti Sosialis Malaysia deputy chairman S. Arutchelvan had also reportedly attended the gathering as a sign of support.
When contacted by Scoop, Arutchelvan stressed that the wellbeing of padi farmers is critical for the nation, saying: “Padi farmers are like our national treasure. They are asking for the (padi) base price to be increased, which is (a demand) worth listening to.
“It is sad that no minister could spare some time to listen to their plight. Bernas (Padiberas Nasional Bhd) should be able to allocate a higher subsidy to these farmers as all rice producing items have gone up several times,” he added.
Based on images shared online, farmers and supporters who attended the gathering had held up various placards detailing their demands. Student representatives were also reportedly present at the demonstration.
Late last night, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that while he does not oppose the gathering, it should be held at an appropriate time and under suitable circumstances, considering Prabowo’s state visit at the invitation of the King and the prime minister.
Anwar expressed his strong disagreement with any gatherings that could disrupt the visit, urging the group to reach out to Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain had also called on the farmers to postpone their planned gathering, noting that police have undertaken preparations to prevent any security threats.
When tabling the Budget 2024, Anwar, who is also the finance finester, announced an increase in the base padi purchase price from RM1,200 per tonne to RM1,300 per tonne. – January 27, 2025