SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government is conducting a comprehensive review of potential mechanisms, to address the declining paddy purchase prices in the state.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the issue had been discussed in a recent state government exco meeting.
"I raised this matter at the recent state executive council (exco) meeting and Datuk Ir Izham Hashim (state Infrastructure and Agriculture exco) is currently examining additional measures we can implement to resolve the issue.
"There may be concerns related to paddy quality, yield, and other factors. We will address all of these aspects comprehensively,” he told reporters after officiating the Selangor women's gathering on Monday (Jan 20).
Amirudin also said the state would consider providing assistance to affected farmers.
Recently, the media reported that around 4,000 farmers in Sungai Besar, near here, expressed concerns over a significant drop in paddy purchase prices, which have decreased from RM1,650 per metric tonne last season to RM1,400.
This price reduction has impacted the farmers' income, even though the quality of the paddy has improved, and the risk of disease has been lower.
In a separate development, Amirudin shared that the state government is aiming to save up to RM300mil over the next 10 years, through the Selangor Children’s Heritage Fund (TAWAS).
He explained that the fund’s first group of savings would be injected, starting in 2026, emphasising the government's long-term commitment to ensuring the successful implementation and disbursement of the fund.
"We need a substantial fund. Over the next 10 years, we are projecting an accumulation of around RM200 to RM300 million, and we will fulfil this commitment starting in 2026,” he said.
TAWAS, introduced in June 2008, is a welfare initiative with a savings-based concept aimed at Selangor-born babies from Jan 1, 2008, onwards, subject to meeting at least one of the registration criteria. - Bernama
