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KUALA LUMPUR: The RM220 thousand allocated for the construction of the new corporate office of the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) in Kelana Jaya will not solve the current problems facing farmers and smallholders, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PH-Port Dickson ).
“They (the government) must change the old ways of thinking. The marketing problems will not be solved with the construction of a new building, ”Anwar said during his 2021 budget debate speech at the committee stage in Parliament on Wednesday (December 2).
The opposition leader also said that Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee should be aware of the nation’s priorities during the Covid-19 pandemic as Anwar criticized the construction of the RM220mil corporate building and Fama’s role in helping farmers.
“The minister must be aware of our priorities, whether it is to help farmers sell their produce or to build a new castle in Kelana Jaya. This is very important, especially in desperate times like now. “
He said the Ministry should reconsider the role of Fama, as it noted that many poor farmers in Sabah were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The problem of poor farmers in Sabah will not be solved with this construction,” he said, adding that removing the proposed building could help poor farmers financially.
Anwar also said that the farmers remained among the poorest communities in the country, with many of them earning wages as low as RM500 per month.
“Many elites in the city don’t know why we should help them. This is because their salaries are estimated to be RM 500 per month up to RM 3000 per month.
“Most of them earn between RM500 and RM1,000 a month.”
Previously, Ronald said that construction of a new Fame building is expected to be completed by 2025.
Ronald also said that the government is ready to earn RM60 thousand from the construction of the new building in Kelana Jaya following a land exchange agreement with a developer involving a Fama building in Johor Baru.
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