The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has opened an investigation into delays in the distribution of supplementary compound fertiliser to padi farmers in Kedah, involving some 38,000 farmers across 78,117 hectares of fields under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA).
MACC said its Kedah branch began the investigation following a complaint filed by the Pertubuhan Persaudaraan Pesawah Malaysia (PESAWAH) on 26 August over delays in the supply of the fertiliser.
The commission said the supplier appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) had delayed the delivery of the fertiliser required by farmers across the 100,000-hectare MADA area.
“Kedah MACC is conducting the investigation to look into not only the criminal aspect, but also any governance weaknesses that may have contributed to the delay,” it said in a statement.
So far, MACC has recorded the statement of a PESAWAH witness and received several relevant documents as part of its investigation.
“MACC welcomes the call and concern expressed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over the issue and has engaged with KPKM and MADA for further investigation,” the commission said.
MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman confirmed the investigation and said it was opened under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009.
The issue had earlier prompted Pengkalan Kundor assemblyman Mardhiyyah Johari to call on the government to consider compensation for farmers affected by the delayed distribution of supplementary compound fertiliser, known as Baja Padi 3.
On 18 August, MADA said only 137,560 bags, or 22%, of the total requirement of 616,015 bags had been supplied.
