SIMANGGANG, Aug 21: Farmers have been told to be on the alert for certain individuals disguised as agriculture department officers and distributing subsidy application forms to them.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said there were several individuals who were former agriculture officers claiming that they still had the authority to approve subsidy or project applications from the Agriculture Department.
Uggah said he was alerted to such ruse when attending a meeting with the officers from the divisional Agriculture Department office here today.
“Today I had a meeting where this issue (people impersonating as agriculture department officers) was raised by (Sri Aman assemblyman Datuk) Francis Harden.
“The allegation is some former officers of the department are distributing subsidy application forms.
“We do not know what is their intention.
“But we believe they are trying to mislead the people into supporting them in the coming election,” he said during a meeting here today.
Uggah explained that the meeting was to review the progress in the implementation of projects under the Agricultural Facilitation Fund in the Sri Aman division.
Uggah who is also the Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister said any former officers of the Agriculture Department no longer had any right to distribute the subsidy application forms purportedly to help the farmers.
“If they do, they will have no authority to approve any project or subsidy applications of the department.
“It is sad that they continue to mislead the rakyat into thinking they have such rights.
“So, we would like to remind the people that only officers (who are serving in the Agriculture Department) are distributing the genuine forms,” he added.
Uggah said the groups including those in the opposition were envious of the commitment shown by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government in helping the farming community.
He added the GPS government is committed to increase the income of the farmers, breeders and fishermen.
“It is our objective to raise the income of each family to RM4,000 per month.
“We are now coming up with strategies and programmes to implement it,” he added.
Joining Uggah at the meeting were Bukit Begunan assemblyman Datuk Mong Dagang, Sri Aman assemblyman Datuk Francis Harden, Lingga assemblywoman Semoi Peri and deputy director of divisional Agriculture Department Ngap Dollah Salam. —DayakDaily
