State polls: Perikatan fought for padi farmers first, claims Hamzah

JELEBU: It was Perikatan Nasional that first fought for increased padi subsidies, claims Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

The Perikatan secretary-general said the issue was first highlighted by Sungai Besar MP Datuk Muslimin Yahaya during the previous Parliament sitting.

“We have to be thankful that the Prime Minister has announced this but I want to say that it was fought for by us (Perikatan) in Parliament.

“Datuk Muslimin, the Sungai Besar MP, was the one who raised this issue in the last session.

“Now that it (subsidies) has been received, it’s because of our (Perikatan) fight,” he told reporters after a ceramah here on Wednesday (Aug 9).

Hamzah, however, noted the timing of the announcement was not right but said it was an effort to help the farmers.

“To me, it’s fine as we want to help the farmers. The farmers know who to vote for as we (Perikatan) fought for this.

“The one who made the announcement will not necessarily get the vote but the most important thing is that our fight has been successful,” he added.

On Aug 8, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government had increased the rate of the Padi Price Subsidy Scheme (SSHP) for the first time in many years.

Anwar said the subsidy rate was increased from the current RM360 per metric tonne to RM500 per metric tonne, the highest increase to date.

Anwar added that the last time the subsidy rate had been increased was when he was the finance minister some 25 years ago.

Separately, Hamzah said only Penang will be difficult for Perikatan to take over during the coming polls in six states.

Despite admitting that it would be tough, Hamzah said the coalition was fighting hard.

“I have got to be very frank… it is tough but we are fighting hard in Penang.

“We are trying our level best to make inroads into Penang.

“So far it’s an uphill battle. Currently it’s only five (states) but maybe in the last two days, God willing, we can get Penang as well.

“Then our score will be six-nil,” he said.

During his speech earlier, Hamzah had said that Perikatan was confident of taking at least five out of the six states contested.

“We have to work hard. When we win, we will use this as a referendum for the government to step down,” he said in reference to Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan and Terrenganu having their state polls on Aug 12.