Claims Of Delayed Aid To Padi Farmers Unfounded - Mohamad Sabu

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- Claims that the government has delayed or failed to disburse aid to padi farmers are untrue, and the MADANI administration has, in fact, raised the Ploughing Incentive for Padi Farmers (IPKP) and announced increased aid payments, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

He said the MADANI Government raised IPKP from RM100 to RM160 per hectare from last year’s first planting season and announced an increase in aid to RM300 per hectare yesterday.

“For season 1/2025, IPKP payments have been fully settled, totalling RM39.314 million to over 135,000 paddy farmers across Peninsular Malaysia.

“For season 2/2025, more than RM27 million has already been paid as of yesterday, with about 30 per cent of remaining claims under processing and due to be settled soon,” he said in a Facebook post today.

He said IPKP payments follow planting by farmers, unlike direct BUDI Agri-Commodity cash aid credited to recipient accounts.

“In every season, some farmers plant while others don’t. One season they might work 10 hectares, the next just eight. That’s why claims are based on actual work done, to ensure public funds are managed transparently and accurately.

“It’s also important to note that padi planting seasons differ by state. For instance, when Kedah begins a new season, Kelantan might still be harvesting. Payments, therefore, can’t be made at the same time across all states,” he said.

Mohamad said officers verify claims on-site after submission by service providers or farmers, processing payments only if documents are complete.

He said the MADANI Government also launched the Padi Harvesting Incentive (IPP) of RM50 per hectare last year, a new aid never offered before, which uses the same claims process as IPKP.

“Truth is, aid payments are already made, ongoing, and outstanding claims will be settled once verification is complete,” he said.

He said the government will continue to increase aid, improve systems, safeguard farmers' welfare, and address claims process shortcomings as they arise.

“Some farmers have already paid ploughing fees upfront to service providers, but after the government pays those providers, they fail to refund the excess to farmers for various reasons.

“We’re addressing this, and the ministry will soon announce improvements to claims and payments, Insya-Allah,” he said.

-- BERNAMA