Govt dispenses first batch of remaining JE fund
The government has dispatched the first batch of the RM17.6 million remaining in the JE trust fund to help pig farmers who were affected by a deadly viral outbreak in Negeri Sembilan three years ago.
Thirty farmers will collect their cheques from the state's veterinary department today, while the remaining 976 will receive their compensation before Chinese New Year next month.
The money will be distributed on a standard rate of RM13.10 per pig culled but farmers who culled the pig themselves will be paid an additional RM1.50 per pig.
Prior to this, the government compensated the farmers RM120 per pig culled for the first 2,000 pigs and RM85 for each subsequent pig culled. An additional RM3 were given to those who carried out their own culling.
Nipah virus disaster rescue and liaison committee vice-chairperson PC Lai said today the farmers were grateful to the government for dispersing the fund.
Thirty farmers will collect their cheques from the state's veterinary department today, while the remaining 976 will receive their compensation before Chinese New Year next month.
The money will be distributed on a standard rate of RM13.10 per pig culled but farmers who culled the pig themselves will be paid an additional RM1.50 per pig.
Prior to this, the government compensated the farmers RM120 per pig culled for the first 2,000 pigs and RM85 for each subsequent pig culled. An additional RM3 were given to those who carried out their own culling.
Nipah virus disaster rescue and liaison committee vice-chairperson PC Lai said today the farmers were grateful to the government for dispersing the fund.
Lai also expressed his gratitude to Health Minister Chua Jui Meng, Works Minister S Samy Vellu (left), Teluk Kemang member of Parliament and health ministry parliamentary secretary S Sothinathan, DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock and president of the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Ngan Ching Wen.
Initially, the government had said it would retain the remaining money in the fund to combat future outbreaks of any zoonotic diseases.
However, the decision was retracted after the plight of the farmers were brought to the attention of the cabinet.
Minister commended
In a press statement today, Kerk commended Agriculture Minister Norwawi Effendi for making good on his promise.
However, Kerk questioned the government as to why farmers were not allowed to resume their farming activities in Bukit Pelanduk where the virus struck, collapsing a once thriving pig farming industry.
"Though Malaysia has been declared free of the Nipah virus threat, the government must explain why till today, Bukit Pelanduk farmers are not allowed to resume pig farming activities?" queried Kerk.
The virus, which killed some 100 people, was first thought to be Japanese Encephalitis (JE) but further tests revealed that it was a different strain. The virus was named Nipah after Kampung Nipah, a village in Bukit Pelanduk where it originated.
