PETALING JAYA: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has confirmed that the distribution of RM30mil in assistance to more than 200,000 farmers nationwide has begun and is expected to be fully completed by mid-April.
Its Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, said that the assistance is an initiative of the private company Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas) and not public funds.
He explained that the contribution is an internal allocation from the company, which is fully subject to Bernas' corporate financial governance.
"Each fund withdrawal process requires strict compliance with standard operating procedures (SOP), internal financial standards, and the approval of the company’s top management. The distribution can only occur once all these requirements are met," he said in a statement on Saturday (April 5), reported by Sinar Harian.
Mohamad said that the rigorous compliance process took some time, but the ministry had fully received the funds from Bernas on March 28.
"As a result, the ministry has started distributing the assistance to eligible farmers across the country. We expect this process to be completed by mid-April," he added.
At the same time, Mohamad emphasised that the Madani Government is committed to prioritising the welfare of the people, especially farmers, who are the backbone of the country's food security.
"Our approach is to encourage corporate support for the people, not for political parties, as was the case before. We believe that private company contributions should be directly channeled to those in need," he asserted.
The ministry also expressed gratitude for the patience and cooperation of the farmers throughout the assistance implementation process.
"We understand their concerns, and the ministry will remain committed to ensuring that this assistance reaches all those who are entitled," he added,
The RM30mil assistance for farmers nationwide was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on February 13.
