KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has opened an investigation into delays in the distribution of supplementary compound fertiliser to padi farmers in Kedah.
In a statement today, MACC said its Kedah branch opened the investigation following a complaint lodged by the Pertubuhan Persaudaraan Pesawah Malaysia (Pesawah) organisation on Aug 26 over delays in the supply of the fertiliser.
The supplier appointed by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (known by its Malay initials KPKM) has delayed the fertiliser needed by padi farmers in the 100,000-hectare area under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada).
“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,” the statement read.
MACC said it had so far recorded the statement of a witness from Pesawah and received several relevant documents.
“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 statement said.
Meanwhile, MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman, when contacted, confirmed the matter and said the investigation was opened under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009.
The media had previously reported a call by Pengkalan Kundor assemblyman Mardhiyyah Johari for the government to consider compensation for padi farmers who suffered losses due to delays in the distribution of supplementary compound fertiliser, or ‘Baja Padi 3’, in the Mada area.
The delay has affected about 38,000 farmers, involving 78,117 hectares of padi fields.
On Aug 18, Mada said 22 per cent, or 137,560 bags, of Baja Padi 3 had been supplied against the total requirement of 616,015 bags.
