Rice Farmers to Take Delayed Fertilizer Supplies to Court

Malaysia’s rice farmers are preparing to take the delayed fertilizer supply issue to court, saying mismanagement has cost them about RM2,800 per hectare.

Abdul Rashid Yob, chairman of the Malaysian Rice Farmers’ Brotherhood Association, or Pesawah, said legal action would seek a solution to a problem that had affected farmers’ income and livelihoods. Several parties have offered assistance, while Pesawah updates the information needed to bring the case forward.

“We will make a legal claim, and so far, several parties have come forward to help us with the process,” Abdul Rashid told Utusan Malaysia. He said the group was compiling information for those assisting farmers, particularly in a potential case against the ministry over alleged management failures.

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We will make a legal claim, and so far, several parties have come forward to help us with the process.

He said the problem had worsened farmers’ financial pressures, especially because the fertilizer supplied was also of unsatisfactory quality. “This is why we feel action must be taken so the matter is not treated lightly,” he said.

Abdul Rashid said fertilizer management could not be handled through trial and error because it involved the public interest and the welfare of many people. He also linked the issue to Malaysia’s self-sufficiency rate and the need to protect farmers’ livelihoods.

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This is why we feel action must be taken so the matter is not treated lightly. In the future, matters like this cannot be trial and error.