KOTA KINABALU: The National Farmers Organisation (Nafas) has suspended its general manager, Muhammad Faris Arriffin, on allegations of governance misconduct related to the mismanagement of organisational funds.

Muhammad Faris was appointed to the position in March last year.

Chairman Datuk Zamri Yaakob led a board of directors meeting on Tuesday (Oct 22) where the misconduct, including the misallocation of members' funds, was addressed.

"The board has resolved to establish a special team to conduct a comprehensive review of these governance breaches," said Nafas in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 23).

Nafas then said that it discovered significant infractions, such as the allocation of funds to entities unrelated to the Farmers Organisation movement without the board's consent.

"Following the investigation, if necessary, legal steps in line with existing laws will be pursued, and the matter will be referred to the authorities," it added. 

Nafas then said that it operates on the capital of its members, including State and Area Farmers Organisations as well as individual farmers, and financial decisions should always support the organisation’s core activities.

The statement reaffirmed Nafas' commitment to upholding government directives for improving governance and the reform agenda promoted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Unity Government for a Malaysia Madani.

"Nafas will take decisive action against any governance lapses that jeopardise the government's objectives," it concluded.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/10/23/national-farmers-organisation-suspends-general-manager-over-governance-misconduct