Kedah deserves RM200mil yearly for feeding nation, says consumer group
ALOR STAR: The Consumers Association of Kedah (Cake) has called on the federal government to allocate an annual RM200 million incentive to the Kedah state government in recognition of its role as the nation's primary rice producer.
Its president Yusrizal Yusoff said the state had dedicated 113,000ha of land exclusively for padi cultivation — land which could otherwise be utilised for more lucrative industrial or commercial development.
"Kedah produces over 450,000 tonnes of rice per season, contributing nearly 45 per cent of the national supply. This contribution comes at a significant cost to the state and its people, particularly the farmers, who labour in challenging conditions and are regularly exposed to fertilisers, pesticides, and the elements," he said in a statement today.
Yusrizal said that while states such as Negri Sembilan had repurposed their padi fields for industrial use decades ago, Kedah had preserved its agricultural zoning to uphold national food security.
He also cited a royal decree issued in June last year by the Sultan of Kedah, Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, who urged the federal government to approve a RM200 million allocation in support of the state's efforts.
"This is not merely a sacrifice of land, but of economic potential. These areas could have been transformed into industrial zones, attracting investment and yielding higher income," he added.
Yusrizal's remarks came in response to the Kedah government's rejection of a proposed RM41 million fiscal incentive from the Town and Country Planning Department (PlanMalaysia), which was intended to safeguard the 113,000ha of padi land.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor reportedly had said during a state assembly sitting at Wisma Darul Aman that the amount fell far short of the RM200 million previously requested.
Yusrizal said that Cake fully supported the state government's decision.
"RM41 million is wholly insufficient, considering the extent of land preserved and the economic opportunities forgone. A RM200 million annual incentive would provide vital support for the state's continued development while acknowledging the contribution of its farmers," he said.
He urged the federal government to reassess the proposed scheme, stressing that a fair and adequate allocation was necessary to sustain Kedah's economic growth without undermining its critical role in ensuring the country's rice supply.
In June last year, His Majesty Sultan Sallehuddin had urged the federal government to approve the RM200 million request.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
a day ago
- Daily Express
Kian Kok to host Lions Charity Bazaar 3.0
Published on: Monday, June 09, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 09, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Connie with the organising committee members for Bazaar 3.0. Kota Kinabalu: Following the successful organisations of the first two fundraising events, the Lions Charity Bazaar 3.0 is back again. It will be held from 7am to 5pm on Oct 12, this year, at the Kian Kok Middle School here. Advertisement Bazaar Organising Chairperson Connie Ting said this major fundraising event brings together 16 Lions Clubs from across Sabah in a united effort to support Lions Clubs International's 8 Global Causes. 'The goal is to raise RM200,000 with all net gross proceeds channelled toward Lions' global service areas,' said Connie during a press conference at GA Space here. The focuses are vision, hunger, environment, diabetes, childhood cancer, humanitarian relief, youth empowerment and rural medical camp. They invited NGOs and youth organisations to take part by setting up booths to showcase their causes. Advertisement 'Companies are encouraged to support the event through sponsorships, with various sponsorship tiers offering promotional opportunities,' she said. 'Vendors are welcome to join the bazaar and benefit from a large public turnout.' The public can support the cause by purchasing charity coupons priced at RM50 and RM100, which can be used to enjoy food, games, and activities throughout the day, she added. Bazaar 3.0 will offer a full day of family-friendly fun with food and drink stalls, live entertainment and engaging activities for all ages, she said. The event is designed to be a meaningful family outing day, blending enjoyment with charity, she said. The participating Lions Clubs are Api Api, Keningau Downtown, Kota Kinabalu Asia City, Kota Kinabalu Capital, Kota Kinabalu Central, Kota Kinabalu Centennial, Kota Kinabalu City, Kota Kinabalu Downtown, Kota Kinabalu Lintas, Kota Kinabalu Mandarin, Kota Kinabalu Vintage, New Century Kota Kinabalu Star City, Labuan Mandarin, Luyang (Ace), Penampang Host,Ranau, Sabah EveryGreen, and Tanjung Aru. Also present were Charter President, Lions Club of Api Api, Chris Liew (Deputy Organising Chairperson); Second Vice District Governor Elect, Alyssa Lim; and President Elect, Lions Club Tanjung Aru, Cynthia Chung. For more details, contact Connie at 0178210989. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Focus Malaysia
a day ago
- Focus Malaysia
Nurul Izzah admits hajj trip with hubby is self-funded after ‘backstabbing' by own PKR member
NEWLY-ELECTED PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar has cleared the air that her hajj trip to Makkah with her husband was 'entirely self-funded' after an allegedly supporter of the pro-Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli's faction accused her of splashing 'over RM200,000 per person' for her hajj expenses. This came about after numerous slanderous social media posts and messages were hurled at the former Permatang Pauh MP who had recently engaged in a bitter contest for the deputy president post in the PKR top central leadership poll amid cries of nepotism and favouritism. Aside from perhaps the privileged Mujamalah visa – an invitational or special visa issued by the Saudi Arabian government outside of the official quota – the eldest daughter of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reasoned that logistical arrangements were managed by licensed travel agency, Mimm Travel. 'We travelled on commercial flights and used our own savings (to pay for accommodation and transportation),' Nurul Izzah penned on her Facebook page yesterday (June 8) evening. 'No private jet as falsely claimed. The journey was undertaken just like millions of other Hajj pilgrims.' Added the 44-year-old Nurul Izzah who married her ex-colleague Yin Shao Loong (now a Khazanah Research Institute senior research associate) on Aug 5, 2022 after her marriage with first husband Raja Ahmad Shahrir ended in divorce on Jan 16, 2015: 'While we may differ in opinions and compete in the political arena of this world, let us not allow worship to be used as material for slander and defamation. 'Let us pray for one another; may Allah SWT grant sustenance and opportunities to more Muslims to become His guests – in a state that is made easy with accepted deeds and kept far from human slander.: Earlier, pro-HIRUK (Rafizi's PKR poll campaign tagline) Malaysian Affairs 🇲🇾007 (@msianaffairs) had demanded to know what Nurul Izzah's income source was after having claimed that the cost of her hajj expenses with her husband could have exceeded RM400,000. Siapa yang bayar kos haji Nurul Izzah yang berharga lebih RM200,000 seorang? Apakah sumber pendapatan beliau? Kos 2 orang izzah dan suami sudah melangkaui RM400k Semua tahu dia tinggal di Dar Al Tawhid Intercontinental,the most luxurious hotel in Mekah@n_izzah @anwaribrahim — Malaysian Affairs 🇲🇾007 (@msianaffairs) June 7, 2025 'Everyone knows she stayed at Dar Al Tawhid Intercontinental, the most luxurious hotel in Mecca,' claimed the self-proclaimed anti-nepotism advocate. Despite being criticised for poking his nose on Nurul Izzah's private matters at a time when the couple needed the peace of mind to perform their pilgrimage solemnly and wholesomely, Malaysian Affairs 🇲🇾007 whose social media post has garnered 1M views at the time of writing seemed unremorseful in wanting to pin down the PKR president's daughter despite her clarification. 'Things can be done for damage control. You can change hotels in the middle of the trip. You don't need a miracle to do that 🤣,' added the keyboard warrior. – June 9, 2025
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
In today's climate, some don't have the luxury of retirement
PETALING JAYA: Raising the retirement age to 65 will help seniors achieve greater financial stability. Lee Peng Joo, 70, said he works as a part-time electrical chargeman in his free time due to high demand from his former acquaintances in the industry. Needing to only do safety and operational checks on high-voltage electrical installations, Lee said the work is fairly simple and allows him to earn extra income without much hassle. 'I work under contract, so I typically only have to check an installation once a month, which normally takes less than half an hour at each site, and write an inspection report after that. 'It's technical work that keeps my mind fresh. It's not physically demanding so I don't have to worry about getting injured,' he said. Lee would love to continue working until he is 75 years old. A human resource executive who wanted to be known only as Johari said there is 'no choice but to work until I can't'. 'The cost of things isn't getting any cheaper, and I still have to get my youngest boy through university. Business owner G. James, 67, who runs an accounting firm, said he decided to continue working to reduce dependence on his children, who are all working. 'For me, it's a personal preference. 'Although my wife and three children have persuaded me to let go of the business since we're already doing well, I don't want to trouble anyone by asking for money. 'By continuously working past 60, I can still earn for my wife and myself,' he said. > see next page 'Every time there are proposals for the retirement age to be increased, I have no issue with it, but it must serve as a transition period for the younger up-and-coming talents. 'We won't be here forever and have to pass the torch one day,' he said. In the busy streets of Kuala Lumpur, The Star met up with some retired seniors who have no other choice but to continue working to make ends meet. One such retiree is a 71-year-old man, who only wanted to be known as M, who runs his own roadside stall in Pudu selling miscellaneous items. M, who worked in a tailor shop before he retired over a decade ago, said he was forced to turn to running a small business as he needs money for daily expenses. 'I'm currently staying with my son who gives me pocket money once in a while, but it's not enough for my daily needs. 'I would rather earn my own income than depend solely on my son, to provide for me,' he said. Items sold at M's store include reading glasses and sunglasses for RM15 each that he had bought from wholesalers who were clearing stock. He also sells nail clippers and batteries for around RM5 each. Conditions were not so good for another retiree aged 78, who only wanted to be known as Awa, as he struggled to earn money to cover his room rental and daily needs. Awa, who is not married and has no kids, rents a small room in Pudu for RM200 a month. He worked as a construction worker until he was forced to retire two decades ago, which led to his savings eventually drying up about five years ago. He now covers his expenses by selling socks and phone cables at his roadside stall. 'My day usually begins early as I try to find a place to set up my stall beside a walkway by 8am and work until 3pm. 'I get the socks and cables from small convenience stores around the area, then resell them for a small margin that is just barely enough for my daily meals and rental costs,' he said.
