KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged paddy farmers to ensure that their planned gathering in Putrajaya today does not disrupt the state visit of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
He said that while he does not oppose the gathering, it should be held at an appropriate time and under suitable circumstances.
"Tomorrow, we will have a state guest President Prabowo Subianto, on a state visit at the invitation of the King and myself, followed by a meeting in Putrajaya," he said.
"I do not oppose the gathering to submit a memorandum to the Minister of Agriculture (and Food Security), feel free to do so. But when organising such matters, please set an appropriate time," he told reporters after an extempore speech by Prof Tan Sri Dr Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas here last night.
Media reports said that over 1,000 paddy farmers from across the country are expected to gather in Putrajaya tomorrow to submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister demanding that the base paddy purchase price be raised to RM1,800 per tonne.
Anwar said he strongly disagreed with any gatherings that would disrupt the visit and urged the group to reach out to the Agriculture and Food Security Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain emphasised that choosing an alternative date and time would allow for better coordination and more effective security arrangements to ensure the highest safety level for President Prabowo.
“The police are committed to facilitating the gathering of the padi farmers on another date, under existing legal provisions,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Razarudin reiterated that these security measures align with PDRM’s responsibility under Section 3(3) of the Police Act to maintain law and order and ensure national peace and security.
Mohamad Sabu was reported yesterday as saying that his ministry is open to receiving memorandums from any group of farmers regarding their demand to raise the minimum paddy purchase price.
— Bernama
