Anwar: MAFs Allocation Likely To Be Increased In Line With Commendable Performance

SERDANG, Sept 6 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has hinted that the allocation for the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) is likely to be increased in Budget 2027, in line with the ministry’s commendable performance this year.

He said the commitment was in line with the ministry’s role as a key pillar in ensuring the success of programmes to empower the agricultural sector in the country.

“This is because the MADANI Government is giving special focus to the development of programmes under the ministry, and I think what was urged by Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu will be taken into consideration when formulating the budget this October.

“Based on our initial discussions, as I mentioned earlier, several new pillars and initiatives by the ministry and agricultural programmes will remain a focus, and I believe the allocation should be increased in line with the commendable performance,” he said.

He said this in his speech at the closing ceremony of the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2026 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) here today.

Also present were Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu; Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amiruddin Shari; Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar; and MAFS secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak.

Anwar said he had no objection to increasing funding for the ministry, given that it would directly benefit farmers, paddy farmers, smallholders and fishermen.

However, the Prime Minister stressed that any increase in the allocation must be accompanied by strict, prudent and integrity-driven governance to prevent any leakage or misappropriation of funds.

Meanwhile, Anwar also praised the success of MAHA 2026, which recorded an outstanding achievement and the highest attendance in its history, demonstrating the people’s keen interest in and deep focus on the country’s agricultural sector.

He said the success was reflected in the more than 4.3 million visitors recorded at this year’s MAHA, with total sales reaching RM66.88 million.

“MAHA 2026, with a strong team this year, has clearly recorded the greatest progress in its history. But what makes it different and has attracted attention is the participation of smallholders, farmers, investors and entrepreneurs from various segments of the agricultural industry, as well as the participation of the people as a whole.

“This means that if we want to develop this country, I do not know whether there is any other exhibition or event that can attract almost five million visitors like this,” he said.

The 14th edition of MAHA, held from Aug 28 to today (Sept 6), involved about 2,000 exhibitors and targeted more than four million visitors.

It is the country’s main agricultural platform, bringing together industry players, government agencies, entrepreneurs, as well as research and higher education institutions to showcase innovation, technology and business opportunities in the agri-food sector.

-- BERNAMA