PKR Selangor has blasted Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Noh Omar for a missing RM110 million in provision for rice farmers’ incentives his ministry failed to pay out. According to the 2010 Auditor-General’s Report, the ministry had not paid RM110.67 million owing to 73,291 farmers.
Its information chief Shuhaimi Shafiei (left) said the allocations were meant to assist farmers increase their yield in a scheme starting 2007.
“We request Noh Omar to explain how the allocations are being distributed to the small farmers.
“Those who had managed to increase their rice yields, surpassing the target set by this scheme, have not received their incentives, as reported by the Auditor-General," he said at a press conference at PKR headquarters today.
Shuhaimi, who is also Sri Muda assemblyperson, said the AG Report's revelation reflected the failure of Noh, his ministry and Umno Selangor to administer the disbursement of such monetary provisions to the farmers.
The report on the effectiveness of Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas) in administering the scheme revealed, amongst others, that farmers were due RM341.29 million between January 2007 and January 2010.
However, the audit found that by end 2010 Bernas had only paid out RM230.62 million in the said incentives, leaving 73,291 farmers without their allocations.
According to the incentive scheme, farmers receive an amount (between RM200.to RM650) for each metric tonne of rice per hectare that they produce.
Noh ‘cruel tyrant’ of small traders
On another matter related to Selangor, Shuhaimi said they received a complaint from a single mother in the state who had received a notification from an agency under Noh’s ministry suspending her business license.
The Sri Muda rep said the letter resulted from the failure of the complainant and several business partners to meet with Noh (left) during a programme in Shah Alam last September.
They were suspended from doing business the following month.
“They did not attend the minister’s programme, and got their license suspended. Suspended without valid reasons, so they said.
“If they are not allowed to conduct their business, how are they going to make a living to support their families?” said Shuhaimi at the same press conference.
The Selangor rep gave the agency and the minister up to Oct 30 to retract the suspension, failing which, he said, proves that Noh Omar is the “cruel tyrant” of small business operators in Selangor.
Shuhaimi said that PKR Selangor’s information bureau will hold 22 ceramah throughout the state in its fourth phase, lasting Nov 12 to Feb 18 next year.
Noh, who is also Selangor BN deputy chief, said on Sunday that Selangor BN’s election machinery is ready for the battle to wrest back the state from the opposition in the coming general election.
Menteri dicabar jelas RM110 juta untuk petani
cheers.
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