31/01/2025

FRIDAY | JAN 31, 2025

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Decline in padi farmers threatens food security

Entry permit process streamlined for foreign spouses PUTRAJAYA: The Home Ministry has introduced improvements to the entry permit application process for foreign spouses of Malaysian citizens, including adjustments to the marriage period requirement and a reduced processing time for new applications. In a statement, the ministry said foreign spouses applying for an entry permit must have been married for at least three years and held a social visit pass for at least one year. “This ensures the application process is more structured and relevant to family institution needs. “The Client Charter has also been streamlined, with the processing time for new applications set at six months. This provides greater certainty for applicants and expedites the procedure,” the statement read. The ministry added that foreign spouses of Malaysian citizens would be exempt from the point system evaluation, with factors such as marriage duration and the number of children considered during approval to protect the welfare of genuine families. It said the initiatives would take effect no later than Sept 30. The improvements align with the Madani government commitment to implementing fair and efficient policies for the welfare of all parties. – Bernama Leaders urged to focus on serving the people BAGAN DATUK: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged leaders to set aside political differences and prioritise serving the people. He stressed that the trust and mandate given by the people must be honoured, regardless of political party, religion or race. “As politicians, we must not allow divisions among citizens. Whether we win by a large margin or a small one is secondary. What truly matters is once elected as members of parliament or assemblymen, we must fulfil our duty to serve,”he said at the opening of the RC Hall in Simpang Empat, Hutan Melintang yesterday. The hall was built by Bagan Datuk businessman M. Nagaraja, 69, who has been running a cendol business for the past 47 years. Ahmad Zahid, who is Bagan Datuk MP, added that leaders must continue to engage with their constituents, including youths, whether they are working locally or abroad. – Bernama

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

agricultural sector’s contribution to gross domestic product and erode our global competitiveness,” he said. Mohamad Idham also highlighted the growing risk of food insecurity, as Malaysia’s declining padi production could increase dependence on imports, exposing the country to volatile global markets and supply chain disruptions. “The dependency not only inflates food costs but also weakens national resilience to external shocks such as geopolitical conflicts or climate-induced production shortages in exporting countries,” he said. He added that Malaysia’s current subsidies and price controls for padi and rice may not be sufficient to sustain the industry in the long term. He said while such measures provide short-term financial relief to farmers, they do little to address underlying structural issues, such as low productivity, inefficient farming practices and limited technological adoption.

o Experts call for training, innovation and youth engagement to revitalise sector

PETALING JAYA: Experts have called for urgent measures to address a sharp decline in padi farmers, from 322,830 in 2021 to about 200,000 today, to safeguard food security in the country. Universiti Malaya Institute of Biological Sciences agriculture expert Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Shakirin Mispan emphasised the need to train a new generation of padi farmers and make the industry more attractive to young people. “The shrinking number of farmers has disrupted the industry, with those aged 40 and below making up only 10% to 20%. “While some young farmers are stepping up, the challenge is not just attracting them but equipping them with the resources to succeed. “Many need expert guidance to fully understand the complexities of padi farming,” he said. Muhammad Shakirin pointed to low income as the biggest deterrent, alongside the issue of farmland

and Vocational Education and Training institutions. “Young farmers could receive hands-on training and build networks with peers and experts. “The goal is not just to introduce them to farming but to keep them motivated and well-equipped for the long run,” he said. UiTM Academy of SME and Entrepreneurship Development coordinator Dr Mohamad Idham Md Razak echoed these concerns, stating that the decline in padi farmers threatens Malaysia’s ability to sustain production and undermines a key domestic industry. He warned that the trend could lead to under-utilised farmland, lower productivity and higher production costs due to reduced economies of scale. “In the long run, the shrinking farmer base will weaken the

ownership, which remains with the older generation. Many elderly farmers are either unable or unwilling to continue farming, leading to a workforce shortage. He warned that the ageing farming population poses a serious threat to the sustainability of the padi industry, particularly as older farmers are often reluctant to adopt modern technologies. “Without innovation, padi cultivation risks lagging behind other countries in terms of efficiency and productivity, making it even harder to compete globally. “If this problem isn’t properly addressed, many padi fields may be poorly managed, leading to lower yields and endangering our food security,” he said. To address the issue, Muhammad Shakirin suggested engaging youths through Technical

HOLIDAY FUN ... Children enjoying the ‘Mega Snakes and Ladders’ game during a visit to Zoo Negara in Kuala Lumpur as part of a Chinese New Year event yesterday. – ADAM AMIR

HAMZAH /THESUN

Claims by ex-health minister do not reflect reality: Association KUALA LUMPUR: Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s claim that administrative and diplomatic officers were merely “looking at Excel spreadsheets” and lack a practical understanding of hospital operations is baseless and does not reflect the reality of government policy-making, according to the Administrative and Diplomatic Officers Alumni Association. Its president Datuk Awang Alik said the officers play a professional role, relying on data while considering operational realities when formulating and implementing national policies. He emphasised that officers have long been instrumental in developing key national policies, including those in the health sector. “The success of Malaysia’s public health system, which is internationally recognised, is the result of close collaboration between health professionals and officers in ensuring that policies introduced are balanced and sustainable. “The claim that these officers fail to understand challenges in the health sector is not only unfair but also does not reflect the true workings of government administration,” he said in a statement. Khairy, in a “Keluar Sekejap” podcast on Tuesday, attributed the failure of the staggered working hours system for healthcare workers to a lack of understanding among bureaucrats at the Health Ministry regarding the realities of medical practice. He criticised the decision-making process, arguing that it was handled by civil servants without practical knowledge of hospital operations. In response, Awang said the proposed system was not introduced arbitrarily but was developed through comprehensive engagement with various stakeholders, including medical officers, hospital administrators and healthcare worker unions. “As trained civil servants in policy development, administrative and diplomatic officers are responsible for ensuring that decisions are made based on evidence and thorough research,” he said. Awang added that the ministry had previously clarified that the shift system was designed by doctors for doctors, and was not unilaterally decided by the officers in Putrajaya. He dismissed claims that they lacked an understanding of the

healthcare sector, stressing that their role is to ensure effective policy implementation within the broader framework of national administration. “In conclusion, the association urges all parties to understand the policy formulation process before making statements that could mislead the public. “The cooperation of all stakeholders, including medical officers and administrative and diplomatic officers, is essential in ensuring that any policy introduced truly benefits all parties without compromising the quality of public services,” he added. – Bernama