Minister, sec-gen may be called in over Kedah fertiliser probe

 MACC chief commissioner Abd Halim Aman says investigators have been ordered to leave no stone unturned in probing delays affecting about 60,000 padi farmers.

MACC chief commissioner Abd Halim Aman said the probe is being conducted under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009, which covers offences involving false claims. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) may call in the agriculture and food security minister, and the ministry’s secretary-general over delays in fertiliser supplies to about 60,000 padi farmers in Kedah.

MACC chief commissioner Abd Halim Aman said an investigation paper was opened on Aug 26 following a complaint against a company appointed by the agriculture and food security ministry to supply fertilisers to padi farmers in areas under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada).

Preliminary investigations found that the company had supplied 333,655 of the 616,015 bags required for the first crop of the 2026 season as of September, leaving a shortfall of 282,360 bags.

MACC has so far recorded statements from 13 witnesses, including the chairman of the Malaysian Padi Farmers’ Brotherhood Association (PeSawah), four Mada officers and eight staff members of area farmers’ organisations (PPKs).

Halim said the investigation was still at an initial stage and MACC had yet to determine who else would be called in.

“Not only the secretary-general, but the minister too, may be called in if necessary,” he told a press conference at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya today.

Halim said MACC will also conduct a financial analysis of the company’s accounts, record statements from officials and fertiliser recipients at the 23 PPKs involved. MACC will also examine governance issues that may have contributed to the delays.

The probe is being conducted under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009, which covers offences involving false claims. - FMT