Latest news with #NationalFoodResourcesLandUsageMasterplan
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
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.
New Straits Times
22-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
RM1 billion allocation to boost Kedah's padi yield, says PM
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated that the government has approved RM1 billion as an incentive to implement a programme aimed at boosting padi production in Kedah. He said the allocation would be disbursed in stages. "We've already allocated RM1 billion on-going," he said when met at the 2025 Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration hosted by the Health Ministry here today. He said this in response to a statement by Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor. The latter had said the state would continue to demand RM200 million annually from the federal government as a special incentive for maintaining padi cultivation areas to ensure the country's rice supply. Sanusi was also reported to have rejected 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. In February, Anwar announced that RM1 billion had been approved for the Muda Agricultural Development Authority as an incentive to implement a programme to boost rice productivity in Kedah. "The additional RM1 billion is expected to ensure increased productivity and at least meet local demand from 56 per cent to 70 per cent," he said during the Prime Minister's Question Time session in the Dewan Rakyat.
