Mustapa wants Kelantan government to help padi farmers

The Kelantan government has been urged to work together with the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry to help padi farmers hit by the drought.

Kelantan Umno liaison chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the drought over the past three months will adversely affect rice cultivation due to inadequate water supply.

"We hope that action is taken to save the rice crop threatened due to shortage of water," he told reporters after visiting the family of Rezamawati Che Mat Bidin, who was attacked by an elephant, in Ayer Lanas, on Saturday.

The Agriculture Ministry expects about 8,000 padi farmers in Kelantan will suffer a losses totalling RM90 million if water does not reach areas affected by the drought.

During the visit, Mustapa announced that the National Disaster Fund will give RM20,000 to the family of Rezamawati who was hurt in the elephant attack.

Rezamawati's son, Wan Aidid Nasrullah Wan Mahmud,3, was killed in the tragic incident.