Latest news with #MudaAgriculturalDevelopmentAuthority
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
PM rejects cruelty claims, cites increased aid to opposition states
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed claims of cruelty and discrimination, saying his government has increased allocations to opposition-led states. For about four minutes, Anwar explained why calling the government "cruel" was unfair. "Even though we are accused by some that we discriminate, that we are cruel... when we look at the numbers, the allocations for Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, and Kedah have increased. It's higher than when they were the government," he said. Anwar added, "Do not say that we are cruel and do not provide (allocations), because the allocations have increased." He was speaking while answering questions during Prime Minister's Question Time yesterday. Anwar also said he had given RM1 billion to the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) for the first phase and had expedited the process to provide such allocations. Anwar said the state government had withdrawn allocations for Sekolah Agama Rakyat in 2003, while the current federal government reinstated them in 2022. In a jest, he said: "The cruel ones are those who cancelled the allocations — yet they're the ones being praised."
The Star
7 days ago
- Climate
- The Star
More than enough water in Selangor and Kedah, say authorities
PETALING JAYA: Seven dams in Selangor and Kedah are running low, but domestic users in the two states need not worry. There is more than enough water supply to last for months, say authorities. In fact, levels of the dams in the Klang Valley have gone up after recent rains and there is enough to last for the next 90 days, said Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. 'The Selangor Water Management Board reported that all dams in the state have reached capacities of more than 82%. 'This means all dams have sufficient water supply for the next 90 days even if there is no rain during that period. 'We also have groundwater reserves that can last us for another 60 days. 'However, we expect heavy rainfall by October when the monsoon transition occurs,' he said. Amirudin said supply had been low previously because off-river storage was used to meet the needs of a water treatment plant after pollution was detected. 'This was part of the new Raw Water Guarantee Scheme. It is aimed at preventing polluted water in the river from entering the water treatment plant,' he said. On Monday, four dams in Selangor – Langat, Sungai Selangor, Tasik Subang and Sungai Tinggi – were in the red zone. Another dam, Semenyih, was in the orange zone, which is considered a warning stage. As of yesterday, Sungai Selangor dam was at a capacity of 83%, Sungai Tinggi (82%), Langat (87%), Semenyih (99%), Batu (84%), Tasik Subang (90%), Klang Gates (92%). Sungai Labu off-river storage is at 99% capacity. In Kedah, the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) said there was ample water supply from the Pedu, Muda and Ahning dams for irrigation and domestic purposes. 'Water from the dams is being released at a rate of 3,500 cubic feet per second to meet the needs of padi cultivation in the Muda area, as well as domestic and industrial needs in Kedah and parts of southern Perlis,' it said. Current reservoir capacity at Mada's dams is 53.34% (Pedu), 33.84% (Muda) and 58.58% (Ahning). 'The 789.06mil cubic metres available yesterday is higher than the 633.42mil cubic metres on Aug 5 last year. 'We have sufficient water to meet the irrigation needs of the first main padi planting this year (in September) and for domestic and industrial needs in the Muda area,' said Mada.
Borneo Post
02-08-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
JusGO drink launched to boost local agro-food market
Arthur (second right) officiating the launch of the new JusGO drink. KOTA KINABALU (Aug 2): The Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) has launched a new agro-food product, the JusGO Mango Drink Powder, in a strategic effort to enhance the competitiveness of local farming entrepreneurs and expand the market for fruit-based products nationally and regionally. Officially unveiled on Saturday in conjunction with the National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day (HPPNK) 2025, JusGO is based on the Tobiar Gold melon and developed by the MADA H-II Kepala Batas Area Farmers' Organisation (PPK) in collaboration with the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI). Using advanced spray drying technology, JusGO preserves the flavour, colour, aroma and natural nutrients of mangoes — particularly Vitamin C and Vitamin A — making it a healthy and convenient option for modern consumers. The powdered drink can be enjoyed with hot or cold water and is packaged in a lightweight, easy-to-carry design, complementing existing products like Tobiar Gold Mango Juice and ready-to-drink options. As part of the product launch, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged between PPK MADA H-II Kepala Batas and PPK Putatan, under the supervision of the Malaysian Farmers' Organisation (LPP). The MoU, witnessed by Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Dato' Sri Arthur Joseph Kurup, aims to strengthen cross-regional collaboration in areas such as promotion, distribution, technology transfer, training, and product development for agro-entrepreneurs. The initiative aligns with the Malaysia Madani vision, which emphasises community well-being through local economic empowerment, food security, and sustainable agricultural development.
Barnama
31-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
13MP: Agriculture To Focus On Tackling Food Import Dependence
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- To improve the quality of life of the people, the government is determined to ensure the empowerment of the people, raise the standard of social life and ensure access to basic needs such as affordable food, housing and health, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Realising that the country's high dependence on imported food sources could be a threat if supplies were disrupted, Anwar said that to reduce this risk, the production of domestic food products would be stepped up. "Special focus is given to developing large-scale agriculture in Kelantan, Pahang, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak," he said when tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) 2026-2030 at the Dewan Rakyat here. According to him, the implementation of the five-season padi planting programme within two years in the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) areas in Kedah and Perlis, as well as the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA) in Kelantan will be accelerated and expanded, including integrated agricultural development areas in Selangor, Perak, Penang and Sarawak. In addition, Anwar said research, development, commercialisation and innovation (RDCI) activities, smart agriculture adaptation and satellite farms would continue to be intensified through close collaboration between farmers including young agropreneurs, research institutions and industry. At the same time, Anwar said the country's food import sources would be diversified to reduce dependence on certain countries, while regulations on food entry into the country would be tightened to ensure safety and quality. "To improve the overall food supply chain, the efficiency of the infrastructure of collection, processing, grading and distribution centres as well as the small and medium-scale retail sectors would be strengthened," he said. Anwar also stressed the need to change the public's perception of the agricultural sector which is often considered as mere subsistence activity. "The people's minds must be changed from seeing agriculture as just another subsistence activity to a very profitable economic opportunity. All these efforts will increase the value-added contribution of the agro-food sub-sector to reach RM58 billion by 2030," he said.
Malaysian Reserve
26-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Infrastructure work for five-season paddy planting programme begins ahead of schedule
ALOR SETAR — The main infrastructure development project under the five-season paddy planting programme over two years in the Muda area has commenced ahead of its scheduled start date of Aug 1. Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh said the project's progress is ahead of schedule, reflecting a strong commitment and seriousness in assisting farmers in the Muda area. The development project comprises two main components: the construction and maintenance of 15 Tertiary Irrigation System Blocks (Project 1), and the Pedu Dam Phase 1 Comprehensive Rehabilitation Project (Project 2), with a total allocation of RM1 billion. 'These 15 blocks will supply water to 560 hectares of paddy fields. According to the original timeline, the project was scheduled to begin on Aug 1, but the contractor began work earlier,' he said when asked about the project's progress. Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visited to the major infrastructure development project under the five-season paddy cultivation programme in the Muda area, located at Batu 7, Kampung Kemboja, Ayer Hitam, near Jitra. He said the paddy cultivation programme would bring comprehensive reforms to the country's paddy and rice industry ecosystem, helping to reduce reliance on imports and enhance national rice self-sufficiency. He added that the Prime Minister's visit marked his second to the project site, aimed at reviewing the progress of agricultural infrastructure development in line with the government's efforts to strengthen the national food supply and boost local rice production. 'This project, which is currently underway, focuses on upgrading the irrigation and drainage systems, as well as enhancing the use of modern technology in the paddy cultivation sector. It not only supports intensified planting activities but also has the potential to boost productivity and increase the income of paddy farmers. 'With the implementation of five planting seasons in two years, the country is expected to reduce its reliance on imported rice and raise the self-sufficiency level (SSL) of this strategic commodity,' he said. Meanwhile, when asked about the proposed construction of guardrails and maintenance work along the Sungai Korok canal, Ismail said MADA and the Public Works Department (JKR) have held initial discussions on constructing guardrails at the location, as previously suggested by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. On July 8, Ahmad Zahid said that the government would consider proposals to build guardrails and install streetlights along the route near Sungai Korok, following the tragic incident on July 5, in which six family members died after their car skidded and plunged into the canal. — BERNAMA
