Individual appointments to any agencies under the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry are based on their competence and expertise and are not solely as political appointment, says its minister Salahuddin Ayub.

Apart from appointing technocrats and professionals, the ministry also considered the capability and commitment of the individual for the task, he said.

“This is the promise even though there are politicians but we will ensure the appointments are not only solely political,” he told a media conference after presenting the appointment letter for the Muda Agriculture Development Board (Mada) chairperson to Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir in Putrajaya today.

According to Salahuddin, Mukhriz’s appointment, effective March 1, was fitting because he is the menteri besar and a local boy.

“Apart from focusing on raising the self-sufficiency level ( SSL) of padi, we also want to improve the income of padi farmers, the majority of whom are in the B40 group.

“As such, it is important for us to modernise the industry including using the internet of things, artificial intelligence as well as using the correct fertilisers and soil profiling,” Salahuddin said.

Mukhriz said his appointment as Mada chairperson should not be considered as an individual appointment.

“My appointment is not as an individual but the appointment of the entire Kedah state government machinery to ensure Mada achieves its objectives,” he said.

- Bernama