SANDAKAN: The leadership of the National Farmers’ Organisation (NAFAS) and Farmers’ Organisation Authority (LPP) will be revamped to enable the organisation to act as an “umbrella” to protect the interests of farmers.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Salahuddin Ayub said the restructuring process had been going on since the suspension order on NAFAS was lifted on Jan 15.
“We want NAFAS and LPP to protect the interests of our farmers without too much influence of politics, corruption and abuse of power.
“We want the LPP leadership at the area and state levels and NAFAS at the national level to have leaders who are truly responsible and passionate to enable us to give immediate assistance to the farmers,” he told reporters after a visit to a soft shell crab farm at Kampung Bambangan near here today.
According to Salahuddin, the leadership election for the area and district levels would be held in March and June, while the national level election has been scheduled for November.
NAFAS began operating as usual on Jan 15 after being suspended on June 1, 2018 following an audit on the management that was submitted to the ministry on March 26.
Based on the report NAFAS was found to be having serious management problems especially in terms of competency, responsibility and transparency involving the leadership and management. – Bernama
