Mohamad Sabu says unclear rental records complicate enforcement as govt reviews seed laws and engages farmers on UPOV concerns.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat was told today that enforcement against the rising number of foreigners working in paddy fields is difficult because their land rental arrangements are not officially recorded.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the issue stems from landowners who choose to hire or allow foreign workers to perform agricultural tasks such as sowing, spraying, ploughing and cultivating cash crops.
He said the lack of proper documentation makes it difficult for the relevant authorities to confirm the rental status or establish whether land-use conditions have been breached.
“The influx of foreign nationals in this situation calls for a carefully structured governance solution and cooperation across ministries,” he said during Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat.
He was replying to Capt (Rtd) Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), who had asked about the ministry’s measures to address low rice production, which has led to a surge in foreigners renting and working on paddy fields or planting cash crops in several areas.
Meanwhile, Mohamad said the government is currently holding engagement sessions with stakeholders to evaluate the need to amend the Protection of New Plant Varieties Act 2004 and to consider joining the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants 1991 Convention (UPOV 1991).
He stressed that the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry would not finalise any move without broad consensus, including from paddy farmers who are concerned about how new policies might affect their long-standing practice of saving and sharing seeds.
“At present, engagement sessions are underway as part of efforts related to this Act… these discussions are crucial for us to reach a shared understanding, and any move we take must ultimately benefit the farmers,” he said.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) on the government’s stance on UPOV 1991, following concerns raised by non-governmental organisations and paddy farmers, particularly in Kedah, who are said to still store and reuse paddy seeds each season.
Mohamad said the government is still examining the issues raised, noting that seed quality is inconsistent when supplied individually, whereas higher yields can be achieved with seeds produced by institutions such as the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI).
“If we leave seed production entirely to individuals, yields may sometimes increase, sometimes not. MARDI’s seed varieties, for example, have been shown to produce relatively high yields,” he added. – Bernama
