The managing director of a fertiliser supply company has been arrested over delays in the distribution of supplementary compound fertiliser, known as Baja 3, to padi farmers in Kedah.
The man, who is in his 30s, was arrested after appearing at the Kedah Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office at about 2.30pm yesterday to have his statement recorded.
He was remanded until Sept 16 after Magistrate Eliana Ismail allowed the MACC’s application at the magistrate’s court here this morning.
Kedah MACC director Datuk Nazli Rasyid Sulong confirmed the arrest and said the case was being investigated under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009.
The provision covers offences involving the submission of documents containing false particulars with the intention of deceiving a principal.
The arrest is linked to a MACC investigation into delays in the delivery of 282,360 bags of Baja 3, which has affected about 60,000 padi farmers in Kedah.
MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman had said initial investigations found that Taaveekun Manufacturing Sdn Bhd was required to supply 616,015 bags of additional compound fertiliser during the first planting season.
However, only 333,655 bags had been delivered as of September, leaving a shortfall of 282,360 bags.
The company was appointed by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to supply, deliver and distribute Baja Padi 3 under the Padi Production Incentive Scheme (SIPP).
The contract covers the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) area, spanning 100,000 hectares and involving about 60,000 padi farmers.
MACC is also widening its investigation, with the Agriculture and Food Security Minister and senior ministry officials potentially being called in to assist with the probe.
Investigators have been instructed to conduct a comprehensive investigation covering all parties involved in the policy, tender and implementation of the fertiliser supply process.
MACC opened an investigation paper earlier this week after its Kedah office received a complaint from Pertubuhan Persaudaraan Pesawah Malaysia (Pesawah) on Aug 26.
The investigation follows concerns over delays in distributing the fertiliser to farmers.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had previously expressed dissatisfaction over the delays, saying they had affected farmers who had raised their concerns and submitted memoranda to him.
Anwar said the government needed to establish the cause of the delays, including identifying the company entrusted with the distribution and determining whether it had fulfilled its contractual obligations.
This version keeps the investigation and allegations properly attributed while putting the arrest and fertiliser shortfall upfront.
