LEADERS should go down to the ground to understand the real sentiments and problems faced by the farming community and fishermen, said PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

Recounting his recent visit to Pedu, Kedah, where rubber is grown by smallholders, Anwar said the problems on the grounds are not reflected in Putrajaya. 

The Port Dickson MP said he has since relayed the matter to Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok and her deputy, Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.

“Two months ago, I went to Pedu, Kedah, and an area where rubber plantations are managed by smallholders.

“I came back and reported to Shamsul Iskandar and Teresa Kok that the issue discussed at the grassroots level is different from what is discussed in Putrajaya,” he said, while delivering his keynote address at the National Farmers Organisation (Nafas) Jalinan Mesra Peladang 2019 event in Selayang.

“Hence leaders must go down to understand the problems, especially those (faced by) smallholders, farmers, fishermen and padi growers. This is the poor category, bottom 40.”

The notion that they’re unwilling to adapt to changes or working hard is untrue, he said.

It’s not the government’s role to nag but to provide solutions to the problems faced by the community, he said.

“We as the government have to provide solutions and not nag. People get tired of nagging.

“We have to give them the space (to make progress) and if that does not work then we can question (teguran) or criticise them.”

Anwar, who once held the agriculture portfolio, said, at this juncture, the sector is a key driver economic growth as the numbers of agriculture players are huge.

The tables have turned under the current administration, whereby the ministry deemed as a junior one and neglected in the past is now being given more importance, he said.

Technology and digitalisation, said Anwar, can be used to further develop the agriculture industry.

Development is less meaningful if the interest and welfare of the community is not taken care of and there is income disparity between rich and poor, he said.

However, he is also confident that with the new policies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Industry, changes can be made.

Nafas and the National Fishermen’s Association (Nekmat) have to play a role as a mediator and link between the government and the agriculture community.

They must be a mediator and take care of the interest of their members – smallholders, farmers and fishermen and those in need, he said.

He said the elite in urban areas may not have full understanding on the plight of the poor, hence these associations have a role to play addressing this problem. – November 10, 2019.