KUALA LUMPUR: A managing director of a fertiliser supply company in Kedah has been remanded in connection with the delayed distribution of Baja 3 fertiliser to padi farmers in the state.
He is remanded until Wednesday following an application by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday.
The suspect was detained on Saturday after turning up at the Kedah MACC office to have his statement recorded.
Kedah MACC director Datuk Nazli Rasyid Sulong confirmed the arrest.
He said the case was being investigated under Section 18 of the MACC Act.
It was previously reported that the delay in the distribution of additional Baja 3 fertiliser to padi farmers in Kedah was being investigated following a complaint received from the Malaysian Padi Farmers Brotherhood Association (Pesawah) on Aug 26.
This led to Kedah MACC opening an investigation paper into the delay by a company appointed by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to meet the needs of the Muda Agricultural Development Authority area covering 100,000ha.
Sources said the investigation was not limited to possible criminal elements but would also cover any weaknesses in governance that might have contributed to the delay.
On Sept 6, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu acknowledged that the case had tarnished the image of the ministry.
Appropriate action would be taken against the company concerned, he said in a Facebook post.
“The ministry will give its full cooperation to the MACC to ensure every question relating to the supply process can be clarified,” he said.
For now, he said the ministry’s immediate priority is to ensure the remaining fertiliser is delivered as soon as possible.
