FIVE Pakatan Harapan (PH) politicians, including former Pokok Sena lawmaker Mahfuz Omar, have been appointed to head agencies under the purview of the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.

Of the five, three are from Amanah, one from PKR, and one from DAP.

Mahfuz will be chairman for the Farmers’ Organisation Authority (LPP), Faiz Fadzil will lead the Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) and Aminuddin Zulkipli will helm the Farmers’ Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama). All three are from Amanah. 

PKR’s Dr Azman Ismail is the new chairman for the Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute (Mardi) while DAP’s Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali will head the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM). 

The term for the new chairmen will be effective May 15. 

In a statement, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu, who is also Amanah president, said the five were appointed based on their “broad experience” in various fields including policy, management, administration, and service. 

“I am confident in the knowledge, credibility, and experience they have to spearhead and carry out their duties and responsibilities in supporting and ensuring development in line with the aspirations of Malaysia Madani,” he said in the statement today. 

Mahfuz previously held the deputy human resources minister position when PH was in power for 22 months, from 2018 to 2020. 

Faiz, who is Permatang Pasir assemblyman, headed LKIM during that same period. 

Aminuddin was the Perak deputy speaker from 2018 to 2020, and is the assemblyman for Behrang.

Azman was a two-term Kuala Kedah MP before he was defeated by a Perikatan Nasional candidate in last year’s general election.

Sheikh Umar was a former Johor exco member when Pakatan led the state from 2018 to 2020. – May 10, 2023.