FARMERS and fishermen are disappointed that Budget 2019 did not address their problems with low yields and falling catch.

Batu Pahat farmer Idris Miskan, 38, said the government was just trying to get the people’s support by giving cost-of-living assistance but failed to understand their real problems.

He said farmers had been hoping that the government would do something to increase palm oil prices, instead of ad hoc cash handouts.

“This government has many issues. But this is how they win over the people. Give cash aid but commodity prices are falling.

“Since the Pakatan Harapan government took over, the price of palm oil has been decreasing. The last time it was at RM480 (a tonne) was when Najib Razak was still prime minister. Then it dropped to RM300 and the trend is not improving.

“How far will the cash aid take us? Life would be better if the palm oil prices can go up.”

Palm oil grower Emmy Hazrul shared Idris’ sentiments. The 33-year-old has been farming the cash crop since losing his job last May.

He said since palm oil prices started falling until it hit RM280 a tonne, some collection centres had to stop operating because factories were not taking palm oil fruit bunches any more.

“One centre closed last week. The operator said the factory was not taking oil palm fruits. Where are we supposed to take them now?

“We thought the government would announce some measures to help, but there is nothing,” said the Kuala Selangor resident.

Zulkarnain Sidek, 27, a fisherman from Sg Besar, also thought the government would offer something for folk like him.

“I thought maybe the government will help us buy fishing equipment. We can’t afford equipment that cost tens of thousands to replace our old ones. We have to pay cash for those things.”

Zulkarnain, who has been a fisherman since he was nine, said he was disappointed that the two-hour budget speech had nothing for him, not even the usual aid fishermen would get annually.

“Nothing was mentioned. This is not right. During bad weather and rainy season, we cannot go out to sea. 

“In the past, we had the RM300 living allowance. People said we fishermen were lucky. But that amount only helped a little,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He said if the government wanted to give funds, it should make sure the recipients were truly qualified.

“Some people get aid to buy boats from pusat zakat, but they then sell the boats to others.” – November 3, 2018.