Kota Kinabalu: Last week, around 200 participants, including activists and smallholder farmers from across Sabah, gathered outside the Malaysian Parliament to deliver two memorandums urging MPs to reject the proposed seed monopoly under UPOV 1991.
The rally, organised by the Malaysian Food Sovereignty Forum (FKMM), aimed to raise concerns about the potential impact of UPOV 1991 on local farmers.
Cassandra Albanus, the demonstration coordinator and Stop UPOV Campaign Strategist, said that the rally was supported by rice farmers, smallholders, environmental NGOs and social activists.
NGOs from Sabah, including Pacos Trust, also backed the protest.
The memorandums were handed to government representatives, including Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Chan Foong Hin and opposition leaders.
Cassandra highlighted concerns over the government’s plan to amend the Protection of New Plant Varieties Act 2004 (PNPV 2004) to align with the UPOV 1991 Convention.
The proposed changes could restrict smallholder farmers’ rights to save, exchange and sell seeds, threatening the livelihood of many, especially rice farmers in Sabah.
While the protest was focused in Kuala Lumpur, Cassandra emphasised the importance of the State Government taking a strong stance in safeguarding farmers’ rights and Sabah’s food security.
She warned that a seed monopoly would weaken local farmers and increase dependence on foreign companies, undermining Sabah’s agricultural autonomy.
The memorandum also addressed ongoing issues such as the cost and price pressures faced by rice farmers, who make up the largest group of farmers in Malaysia.
Cassandra expressed concern that joining UPOV 1991 would give a foreign body influence over Malaysia’s laws without proper consultation with state governments like Sabah and Sarawak, thus violating national sovereignty.
The amendments would also remove vital protections, including provisions to prevent biopiracy and ensure affordable seed supplies, while limiting the types of seeds available to farmers.
Cassandra argued that these changes would raise seed costs and reduce farmers’ ability to choose seeds suitable for local conditions.
The coalition also raised concerns about the impact of delayed fertiliser distribution, poor water management, and bureaucratic inefficiencies, all of which contribute to the challenges faced by rice farmers.
The group reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights of farmers and ensuring Malaysia’s food sovereignty and security.
