Native farmers left out again - association

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Bumiputera Farmers and Rearers Association (Petanah) described the 2012 Budget unveiled by the Prime Minister on Friday as a huge slap on the faces of native farmers in Sabah and Sarawak.

Petanah president Gaibin Ransoi, in a statement here, said he was shocked that despite the numerous packages offered to Malaysians, the Prime Minister had totally forgotten the poverty-stricken farmers in the two Borneo states.

"It's the same case, year after year, with the national budget," Ransoi said.


"There are incentives, gifts and additional benefits given to public servants and those already earning good salaries, but those who have no salary and struggling in poverty like the farmers are forgotten and neglected.

"At least the fishermen have been promised with the Special Housing Fund to build and refurbish houses. But for the native farmers it is another slao in the face because while all those around them get wage increases, financial reliefs and assistance, they continue to slide down economically," Ransoi added.

"This is because while their farm productions remain the same, they have to face higher and higher living and working costs such as for groceries, transport and schooling expenses for their children, as well as for farming equipment, fertilizers and weed killers," he lamented.

He said that the government forgets that news about bonuses, increases in salaries and the reduction of taxes are all heartbreaks to the poor native farmers who cannot enjoy all these.

"Why can't the government have any feeling for the native farmers who form the poorest population but contribute hugely to the nation in terms of food production?" Ransoi asked.

"The fishermen have been given a monthly allowance of RM200, free boats, engines, nets and petrol discounts. But there is almost nothing for the poor farmers in the hills.

"Petanah suggests that all farmers be given RM300 per month - RM100 more than the fishermen because farmers have to toil the land for a long time to produce food and to compensate for their not receiving boats, engines and petrol like the fishermen," Ransoi pointed out.

He said, most farmers in Sabah are living below the poverty line and many are hardly able to support themselves with almost no cash in the house.

"Many live in decrepit houses without basic amenities and their children are hardly clothed," he said.

"And the worst thing is that many of them are being chased out of the NCR lands because their lands have been given to big companies. And sadly, some politicians who got voted into office by the poor farmers are siding with these companies!"

He suggested that the government come up with a comprehensive plan to help the native villagers improve their economic standing by offering them ore farming and stock breeding incentives.