Page 34 - PH Manifesto English

The monopoly granted by UMNO and Barisan Nasional to BERNAS will be

removed and our Government will ensure that there is supervision at every
stage of rice production.

The goal of our Government is to ensure that the maximization of the
country's rice supply and that our stocks will give priority to local rice.

To guarantee the welfare of farmers, the Pakatan Harapan Government will
control the influx of imported rice and take stern actions against rice

smuggling. Border control will be beefed up and corrupt officers will face
serious disciplinary action.

UMNO and Barisan Nasional have given unnecessary monopoly powers to
certain companies. The Pakatan Harapan Government will eliminate this

monopoly power.

We will establish a complaint mechanism of in the Agriculture Ministry so

that farmers who have been mistreated can have direct access to the
government.

Distribution of subsidies will be managed by the appropriate government
agency and not by companies with vested interest like BERNAS. The

mechanism of payment and the rate of subsidies for paddy prices will be

revised to ensure a fairer system.

Government grants will be made in cash to the eligible farmers to enable

them to choose their own fertilizers and seeds that are appropriate to their
needs.

Pakatan Harapan sees farmers as unsung heroes. They farm their lands to
produce high quality crops for the rest of the population. But they have been

ignored by UMNO and Barisan Nasional. They are only visited once in a

while, especially during elections.

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