KUALA LUMPUR: The National Farmers Organisation (Nafas) remains suspended nearly 10 months after it was first imposed due to internal conflicts, confirms Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said that during the period, Nafas is managed by individuals appointed by the Registrar of Farmers Organisations, and all operations must adhere to the registrar's directives.
"The registrar has appointed the Nafas Steering Council, comprising five experienced professionals in governance and government management, led by former Public Services director-general Tan Sri Zainal Rahim Seman.
"This council is responsible for reassessing every aspect of Nafas's management and operations, including its subsidiaries, to ensure that the institution's recovery is comprehensive, structured, and conducted with integrity," he said in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Aug 6).
He was responding to Aminolhuda Hassan (Sri Gading-PH) regarding the current status of Nafas's suspension since November 1, 2024.
Mohamad explained that the renewal strategy will be finalised through a governance and competitiveness improvement blueprint.
"The government has appointed highly experienced public service professionals to lead Nafas. These individuals are not only experts in their respective fields but have also provided exemplary service to the nation in the past.
"The government is confident that this team can reshape the future of Nafas to be more competitive and uphold integrity," he added.
Nafas, which comprises 603,000 members, 280 Area Farmers Organisations, and 14 State Farmers Organisations, has faced scrutiny over governance issues.
Established in 1979, Nafas has been the sole government fertiliser supplier but has struggled with inefficiencies.
The suspension of Nafas’s constitution on November 1 was executed under Section 7(1) of the Farmers Organisations Act 1973.
Nafas is currently undergoing its third suspension. The first occurred during the tenure of then Agriculture Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from 1984 to 1986. The second suspension was under the late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, and the third is presently in effect.
