Amir said that as the registrar, he issued the suspension order under Section 20(1) of the Farmers’ Organisations Act 1973 because of internal conflicts that have negatively affected the organisation’s operations.
“Following this order, Nafas has the right, under Section 21 of the Act, to appeal to the agriculture and food security minister within 30 days.
“The minister’s decision on the matter will be final, with no further appeal or recourse available through any court,” he told a press conference on Nafas’s governance reform today.
Amir said administrators will be appointed to oversee the organisation’s operations during the suspension but the current staff will continue their duties under the administrators’ direction.
He said he will monitor the organisation’s recovery and ensure strong governance for the benefit of farmers.
LPP chairman Mahfuz Omar, who was present at the press conference, said agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu had previously issued directives for improving Nafas’s governance and management for nine months, which ended yesterday.
“Throughout this period, Nafas was instructed to strengthen its governance systems and adhere to guidelines issued by the registrar.
“However, despite this directive, issues have surfaced, leading to conflict and internal discord between the Nafas board of directors and its executive management,” he said, adding that this adversely affected operations and the welfare of farmers.
Asked about investigations into irregularities in the padi fertiliser supply project, Amir said he would leave the matter to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“We have not received any updates from MACC, and they have yet to report any findings,” he said.
He said the registrar’s office would conduct an internal investigation under Section 20(1) of Act 109, which grants the registrar authority to perform audits and internal reviews.
On Tuesday, MACC chief Azam Baki confirmed that the agency had initiated an investigation into alleged irregularities in the padi fertiliser supply project managed by a ministry-affiliated organisation.