KOTA SAMARAHAN: The power to appoint board members of the State Farmers’ Association (PPN) and Area Farmers’ Associations (PPK) should be returned to the state government, says the Sarawak Premier.Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg (pic) said besides fulfilling the requirements of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), doing so would help expedite the development of the agricultural sector in Sarawak.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Sarawak PPN Building here yesterday, he said the Federal Government had already delegated the authority to appoint the board of the Sarawak Fishermen’s Association to the state.
“If the fishermen’s association has been given the authority, then grant the same powers to the farmers’ associations too,” he said, Bernama reported.
He said Sarawak’s Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi will discuss the matter with state Attorney General Datuk Saferi Ali before presenting it to the Federal Government.
At the event, Sarawak PPN chairman Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail said previously, the Sarawak Agriculture Minister had the authority to appoint board members of PPN and PPK.
He said this authority was revoked in 2018 and transferred to the Federal Agriculture Minister, despite agriculture placed under the state in the Federal Constitution.
“In the spirit of MA63 and the unity government, the power to appoint board members should be returned to the state minister so that the PPN and PPK administrations in Sarawak can be aligned with the policies and direction of the state government,” he said.
He added that the power transfer would help realise Sarawak’s vision to become a net exporter of food-based products and raise the income of farming families to at least RM6,000 per month by 2030.
