Sanusi thanks PM for RM1bil padi boost, seeks RM200mil more
ALOR STAR: Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for approving RM1 billion to upgrade padi production infrastructure in Kedah.
However, Sanusi said that this allocation was a separate issue from the RM200 million fiscal incentive the state government had requested from the federal government to maintain padi cultivation areas and ensure the country's rice supply.
"This is a different matter. The RM1 billion allocation concerns the land assessment collected on padi fields, which is a source of state revenue," he said.
"The RM200 million is crucial for managing the state, which has a growing population and increasing administrative and salary demands. Without additional revenue, we are limited by restricted resources," he told reporters after the state assembly sitting at Wisma Darul Aman today.
Yesterday, Anwar reiterated that the government had approved RM1 billion as an incentive for a programme aimed at boosting padi production in Kedah.
In February, every two years in the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) region.
On Monday, Sanusi said that the state government would continue to negotiate with the federal government to review a proposal by the Town and Country Planning Department, which suggested an annual payment of RM41 million to Kedah under the National Food Resources Land Usage Masterplan to retain padi fields in the state.
Meanwhile, Sanusi clarified that the state government did not reject the RM41 million annual calculation proposed by the Department of Town and Country Planning Malaysia (PlanMalaysia).
"I didn't say we rejected it. When they (PlanMalaysia) presented their proposal, we submitted a counter-proposal. We didn't dismiss their calculations.
"I'm not sure whether the RM41 million will remain the same or be adjusted. Whether it increases or decreases, I can't say, but our claim remains at RM200 million annually because this reflects the loss we've sustained over hundreds of years," he added.
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