KUALA LUMPUR: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry can only take enforcement action against foreigners who are dominating the vegetable industry through the Pesticides Act 1974.
Agriculture Department director-general Datuk Nor Sam Alwi said the ministry, through her department, does not enforce any laws regarding trespassing on land for agricultural activities by foreigners or locals.
She said in a statement that enforcement action could only be taken under the Pesticides Act 1974, which is for the control of importation, manufacturing of pesticides, its registration and permits and enforcement.
"The department also provides guidance to entrepreneurs through development programmes such as courses, briefings, seminars, workshops, engagement sessions, farm visits and others.
"Therefore, it is a concern if vegetable farms operated illegally by these foreigners cannot be monitored by the department in terms of practising good agricultural practices (GAP) in agricultural activities.
"Farms operated illegally by foreigners and not monitored can lead to misuse of pesticides, illegal pesticide use, and other misconduct that can produce crops that are not safe to eat and therefore endanger human health," she said.
Last week, it was reported that foreigners, including Bangladeshis, Rohingyas, and Indonesians, are allegedly dominating the vegetable market with their illegally-cultivated gardens, with a total size now said to be almost 1,000ha.
Nor Sam called for immediate action by the authorities to curb such activities as they can affect the country's agro-food industry and cause harm to Malaysians, especially due to the uncontrolled use of pesticides.
"Regular monitoring also needs to be conducted periodically to address this issue," she said.
She added that the department also conducts field investigations for applications for foreign workers in the planting sub sector requested by employers or local agricultural project entrepreneurs who have valid land ownership or lease documents.
She said the Agriculture Department plays a role in providing guidance to agricultural project entrepreneurs in the planting subsector on GAP and encourages entrepreneurs to apply for and obtain myGAP certification.
The myGAP certification recognises farms that practise GAP to produce safe and quality food, preserve environmental safety, and ensure the safety and welfare of workers.