MACC Probes Delays in Fertilizer Distribution to Kedah Padi Farmers Under Section 18

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has opened an investigation into delays in the distribution of supplementary compound fertilizer to padi farmers across Kedah.

The probe by Kedah MACC follows an official complaint lodged on Aug 26 by the Pertubuhan Persaudaraan Pesawah Malaysia (PESAWAH) regarding supply bottlenecks affecting a 100,000-hectare agricultural area under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA).

The supply disruption involves an external vendor appointed by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) tasked with supplying ‘Baja Padi 3’. The anti-graft agency stated that its investigation will examine potential criminal wrongdoing alongside governance vulnerabilities that contributed to the delay.

“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. 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 read.

Investigators have recorded a statement from a PESAWAH witness and secured relevant documentary evidence. MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman confirmed that the case is being investigated under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009.

The probe comes following public calls by Pengkalan Kundor assemblyman Mardhiyyah Johari for the government to consider compensating farmers suffering financial losses due to the missing fertilizer allocations. The supply shortage has impacted roughly 38,000 farmers and 78,117 hectares of padi crops, with MADA reporting that as of Aug 18, only 22 per cent (137,560 bags) of the required 616,015 bags of fertilizer had been delivered.

–NMT