KAJANG: Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu was among 37 witnesses called by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to have their statements recorded to assist investigations into alleged irregularities and delays in the supply of Baja 3 fertiliser in Kedah.
MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman said Mohamad’s statement was recorded at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on Sept 16.
“Another witness was the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry secretary-general Datuk Isham Ishak, whose statement was recorded on Sept 15.
“The remaining 29 individuals comprise members of the ministry’s Procurement Board, Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) Tender Evaluation Committee, PPK managers and fertiliser recipients, as well as Mada staff.
“Another eight individuals are employees of TaaVeeKun Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (TMSB), Sinergi Perdana Sdn Bhd and Permodalan Risda Bhd,” he said.
Abd Halim was speaking to reporters after the MACC Bersama Media 2026 shooting programme at the Malaysian Prison College shooting range in Kajang on Saturday (Sept 19).
He said the investigation followed a complaint received on Aug 26 involving the appointment of TMSB by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to supply, deliver and distribute 1.23 million bags, or 30,800 tonnes, of compound fertiliser worth RM108.61mil.
The fertiliser was meant for 100,000ha of Mada areas under Rice Production Incentive Scheme (SIPP)for the first and second seasons of this year, involving 60,000 padi farmers.
However, during the first season, the company failed to fully meet the scheduled supply, with only 333,655 of the 616,015 bags required being delivered.
This resulted in a shortfall of 282,360 bags, with some of the fertiliser also found not to meet the stipulated specifications.
Abd Halim said a managing director of the company was arrested on Sept 12 and remanded for four days from Sept 13 to 16 before being released on MACC bail.
“Initial investigations found that the failure to supply the fertiliser according to schedule was partly due to the company’s limited capital capacity, which affected its ability to fulfil the supply within the stipulated period,” he said.
He said the investigation was currently focused under Section 471 of the Penal Code for fraudulently or dishonestly using a document as genuine.
“An offence under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009 is also being looked into if applicable,” he said.
Investigators are analysing the company’s bank statements, financial documents and ledgers for 2023 to 2025, as well as verifying a RM22.07mil Credit Facility Balance Confirmation (JBKK).
They are also comparing Certificates of Analysis (COA) with the relevant laboratory reports.
Abd Halim said the investigation was also focusing on governance weaknesses that may have contributed to the delays in fertiliser supply.
“The findings on the governance weaknesses will be used as a basis to improve the systems and procedures of the relevant agencies,” he said.
