Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said there would be an increase in the padi price subsidy scheme (SSHP) rate from RM360 to RM500 per tonne on all padi production, effective tomorrow.

Anwar said that with the increase, padi farmers will receive at least RM1,700 per tonne for the padi they produce, which is the “biggest increase in history”.

Speaking to reporters at an event in Taman Tunku Yaakob here, Sanusi said Anwar should not have made such a key announcement just days away from the state elections.

“Would he have given a subsidy increase if there wasn’t an election?

“Announce it after the elections. This looks too obvious,” he said in an apparent reference to vote-buying.

Sanusi went on to advise padi farmers to accept the subsidy and cast their votes for Perikatan Nasional (PN) as the subsidy would be considered a form of “election bribery” if they voted for the government.

“So, to prevent (the subsidy) from becoming a form of election bribery, vote for PN. The money will then become halal (permissible),” he quipped.