Paddy price subsidy increase PN's initiative, not PM's - Hamzah

JELEBU - Perikatan Nasional (PN) Secretary-General Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has claimed that the plan to increase the padi price subsidy rate that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced on Tuesday was initially mooted by PN.

Hamzah said the motion was filed by Sungai Besar Member of Parliament Datuk Muslimin Yahaya during the previous parliamentary session.

"Alhamdulillah, we should be grateful because the prime minister made the announcement. (But) We first raised the matter (PN), via Muslimin, in parliament. He was the one who highlighted the issue.

"It's because of our fight that there's now an increase (in rice subsidy). But the timing was not right (to announce it at the time as it was the general election). It's alright. We just wanted to help the farmers," he said at the PN Youth Assembly on Wednesday.

Also present was the Bersatu Jelebu Division Chief Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim.

Hamzah stated that the coalition had been fighting for the farmers' plight, so they would know who to vote for.

"Just because he (Anwar) announced it doesn't mean he would get the votes.

"Voting is the voters' right, so no matter how much money you give them, they don't have to vote for Pakatan Harapan (PH)," he said.

Previously, the government announced an increase in the rice subsidy rate from RM360 to RM500 per metric ton starting Wednesday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the improvement made to the Rice Price Subsidy Scheme (SSHP) would allow rice farmers to receive at least RM1,700 per ton, thus increasing rice farmers' income and providing motivation to increase production.

Meanwhile, Hamzah said PN expects to win five out of six states in the upcoming polls.

"You can guess which state we should win. I think you all know except Penang.

"Frankly, it is pretty difficult (to win), but we will work hard in Penang. God willing, we will try to penetrate Penang. This is what we are trying to do our best.

"For now, five states, but it is possible that God willing, we can win Penang within two days. If we can win Penang, it will be 6-0," he said.