SUNGAI BESAR: The incumbent of Sungai Besar parliamentary seat Budiman Mohd Zohdi has vowed to address issues affecting farmers, fishermen and smallholders in the constituency.
Budiman, who was again fielded to contest the seat, said he would help the people there should Barisan Nasional be given a new mandate in the coming general election.
“We have fulfilled our promises and will continue to do so, for the wellbeing of the people.
“At BN, we always look for ways to help the people, including farmers, fishermen and smallholders,” he said after presenting the special aid while waiting for the harvest season to farmers here today.
On being dropped from the Sungai Panjang state seat, Budiman said he had served the constituency for five years.
“I will continue to do my best and carry out my responsibilities to serve the people in Sungai Besar.”
Lawyer Datuk Imran Tamrin is the BN candidate for Sungai Panjang.
Meanwhile, some 2,000 farmers from Sungai Besar and Sabak Bernam will receive RM200 a month for three months.
Budiman said the financial assistance was proof that the government always cared for the farmers’ welfare.
In 2018 Budget, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had announced the special aid under a RM150 million allocation to the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry.
A total of 325,518 registered farmers comprising 258,839 paddy farmers and the rest hillside padi farmers in Sabah and Sarawak, will benefit from the initiative.
Anisah Samsuri, 50, from Parit 4 here, thanked the government for helping them.
“We could not help but to feel thankful for the assistance. This will help me and my family with our daily’s expenses,” she said.
Mohd Eiry Mohd Kassim, 39, said the aid is timely as it would help him with daily expenses.
“I have been working as a farmer since I was 14 year-old and this handout is a relief.
“I can use the money to buy pesticide as well as to prepare for the next planting season,” said the father of three.