PUTRAJAYA, The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) will merge seven enforcement agencies under its purview to enhance regulation within the agro-food sector. The agencies involved are the Kawalselia Padi dan Beras (KPB) regulatory body, the Department of Quarantine and Inspection Services Malaysia (MAQIS), the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Veterinary Services, the Department of Fisheries, the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) and the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM). Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the reform proposal would be presented to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in a meeting scheduled for Nov 1. 'The reform efforts undertaken by the ministry are not driven by any political agenda. Instead, they focus on the betterment and future of the industry,' he told reporters after the ministry's monthly assembly here today. Also present were Deputy Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup and the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Is hak. Mohamad explained that the merger of these agencies would involve a total of 2,030 enforcement officers and 14 Acts to ensure more optimal enforcement to effectively address issues of leakage and smuggling. He also mentioned that administrative reforms would soon be implemented at the Farmers' Organisation Authority (LPP) and the National Farmers' Organisation (Nafas). 'I am pleased to announce that through these initiatives, KPKM is the first ministry to respond to the prime minister's call to implement public service reform through the consolidation of enforcement agencies,' he said. Source: BERNAMA News Agency