
by HIDAYATH HISHAM
THE suspension of the National Farmers Organisation’s (Nafas) constitution remains in effect as the government continues restructuring efforts to restore governance and competitiveness.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said Nafas is currently administered by an appointed steering council under the direction of the Registrar of Farmers’ Organisations.
“The Registrar has appointed the Nafas Steering Council comprising five professionals with experience in governance and public sector management, led by former DG of Public Service Tan Sri Zainal Rahim Seman,” he told Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a question from Sri Gading MP Aminolhuda Hassan (Pakatan Harapan [PH]-Sri Gading) on the current status of Nafas’ suspension, which took effect on Nov 1, 2024.
Mohamad said the council is conducting a full reassessment of the organisation, including its subsidiaries, to ensure institutional recovery is carried out with integrity and structure.
“This council is tasked with reassessing all aspects of Nafas’ management and operations, including its subsidiaries, with the goal of ensuring institutional recovery is holistic, structured and conducted with integrity,” he said.
He added that the reform strategy will be finalised through a governance and sustainability improvement blueprint.
“The government has placed experienced professionals from the public service to lead Nafas,” he said, adding that these individuals had served the country with distinction and are expected to guide Nafas towards a stronger future.
In November last year, The Malaysian Reserve (TMR) reported that Nafas was suspended following years of governance challenges and audit findings that raised concerns over mismanagement.
It marked the third time the organisation has been suspended, including during the tenures of former Agriculture Ministers Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.
The decision to suspend the organisation came after a 2018 audit identified 42 key areas that required urgent structural and operational reform.
Despite previous attempts at internal remediation, many of these concerns remained unresolved, prompting the ministry to take firmer action.
In response, a special monitoring committee was established earlier this year to propose a new governance framework.
This committee’s work will inform the finalised blueprint for reforms currently under development.
At the same time, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is continuing its investigation into suspected irregularities involving paddy fertiliser contracts worth RM1.8 billion.
In October last year, the MACC arrested the chairman of a foreign company as part of the probe into the alleged misconduct.
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