SERDANG, Sept 6 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security could receive a bigger allocation in Budget 2027, provided the ministry continues to uphold good governance.
His remarks came after its minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu called for an additional allocation during the closing ceremony of the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition here.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said additional funding could be considered as long as the ministry ensured that public money was managed properly and reached farmers, fishermen and paddy planters.
“Because large expenditures must be managed well, and we have no choice.
“If we want to safeguard the fate of farmers, paddy planters, and traders, we must ensure good management.
“Allocations may increase, but if there are leakages and misappropriation, those who suffer are the farmers, fishermen, and paddy planters,” he said.
Speaking to reporters later, Mohamad who is better known as Mat Sabu, said the additional allocation is to allow his ministry to prepare early for potential challenges next year.
He said this includes measures to deal with the El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to continue into early next year.
The ministry also needs to be prepared for a possible spike in fertiliser prices amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, he said.
“Our secretary-general has already mapped out our requirements and early measures, particularly if temperatures surge.
“Aquaculture will take a hit. We’re looking at potential fish loss and similar issues. So we must have aid ready to deploy.
“And that’s just one scenario out of many. Say there’s a sudden surge in fertiliser prices; we then need to ask the government for financial support as well,” Mohamad said.
He said the request is essentially for supplementary funds, and that it can be adjusted according to how conditions develop later.
The government will table Budget 2027 when the Dewan Rakyat sits again next month.
Date: 6 September, 2026 4:38 pm
Source: Malay Mail
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