More money for Agriculture Ministry? Anwar says maybe — if the books stay clean, so farmers won’t suffer

On September 6, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that the Agriculture Ministry could receive a larger budget allocation in the 2027 budget, as long as the ministry maintains good governance. This statement followed Minister Mohamad Sabu's request for additional funding during the closing ceremony of the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture, and Agrotourism Exhibition.

The finance minister emphasized that any extra funding would only be granted if the ministry ensures the proper management of public funds and that the money reaches farmers, fishermen, and paddy planters. Anwar stressed the importance of good management, stating that large expenditures must be handled well, as mismanagement or leakages would harm the farmers, fishermen, and traders.

Mohamad Sabu, better known as Mat Sabu, added that the extra allocation would help the ministry prepare for potential challenges, such as the ongoing El Niño phenomenon and a possible increase in fertiliser prices due to geopolitical tensions. The ministry has already prepared early measures, especially in case of soaring temperatures and potential fish loss in aquaculture, a scenario that could necessitate supplementary financial support from the government.

The government plans to present the 2027 budget during the next sitting of the Dewan Rakyat, scheduled for the following month.