MUDA Agriculture Development Authority (MADA) has slammed Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor over the latter’s claims that Kedah was “forced” to remain as a poor state because it had to continue producing padi for the country.
According to MADA chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh, Kedah was neither “forced” nor told to remain poor simply because it was producing padi.
“From his press conference after the exco meeting yesterday, it is clear the Kedah MB is still unable to move on regarding the state’s revenue,” he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.
“(Sanusi) said Kedah is being forced to become a poor state because it has to sacrifice for padi production…the MB keeps going on and on with his negative thinking.
“The MADA padi cultivation area is only made 10% of Kedah land area, there are 90% land remaining for housing and industry which would yield higher revenue (for the state government).”
The former Pengkalan Kundor state assemblyman said from Sanusi’s statement, it sounded as if Kedah has hit a dead end in terms of seeking other sources of revenues.
Dr Ismail further stressed that the Kedah state government should prove its seriousness in preserving the state’s role as the nation rice bowl by gazetting the padi fields in MADA before seeking RM200 mil compensation from the federal government.
He said only by doing so would the federal government be convinced that Sanusi’s administration is serious in boosting the nation rice production.
“It seems in seeking the RM200 mil (compensation) from the federal government, Kedah is not serious because the state government is seen as not ready to gazette MADA padi cultivation areas,” he remarked.
“If the state government is serious, it should proceed with the gazetting and works toward seeking the carbon credit compensation.
“The federal government will also be convinced with the seriousness of the state government in boosting padi yield for the sake of food security.”
Dr Ismail was responding to Sanusi’s statement on Wednesday (May 15) justifying the state government move to seek RM200 mil annual compensation to the federal government to preserve padi fields in the state.
Sanusi was reported as saying that the demand is a “reasonable” request given its key contribution to the country’s food security.
He had said the amount was based on losses of potential revenue for forgoing demands of developing padi fields for industrial, commercial and housing purposes under the local governments’ District Development Plan (RTD).
Sanusi also said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has agreed for the request to be studied when it was presented to him during the state development briefing session during his recent visit to Kedah on April 4.
Sanusi further justified that the compensation was a shared responsibility by the state and the federal government in ensuring the country’s food security.
“Kedah is contributing 43% to the total 63% of the national rice production’s demand and the demand keeps on growing in tandem with population growth,” he was quoted as saying.
“Hence, it is unfair to belittle Kedah for being a poor state while we are making sacrifices in foregoing huge potential revenue to contribute towards food security.” – May 16, 2024
