The government will release aid to some 25,000 padi farmers who were hit by the recent floods in Kedah and Perlis, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar said.
Noh said the aid for the padi farmers should be released promptly so that they could carry on with the second planting season this year.
Speaking to reporters after handing over loans in aid of Tekun Nasional entrepreneurs who were affected by the floods, here today, Noh said some 50,000 hectares of padi were destroyed in the floods, with losses estimated at RM50 million.
The losses could reach RM200 million the farmers were not able to plant padi in the second planting season, he said.
The cabinet would decide on the matter at its meeting on Friday, he said, adding that while waiting for the approval, the ministry would release some of the aid to allow farmers to begin planting.
On the assistance to Tekun Nasional entrepreneurs, Noh said it was to allow them to continue with their activities.
If no assistance was given, they might be facing problems, including in servicing their old loans, he said.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Md Isa Sabu handed over RM1.24 million loan to 256 entrepreneurs who had previously been given loan totalling RM2.2 million.
— BERNAMA
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