SPRM rakam keterangan Mat Sabu berkait isu bekalan baja

SPRM records Mohamad Sabu's statement in connection with the shortage of steel in Kedah. The SPRM chairman, Abd Halim Aman, said that Mohamad Sabu's statement was taken on Sept 16, a day after the deputy minister. At present, 37 witnesses have been questioned and their statements recorded to assist the investigation launched on Aug 26 in relation to the appointment of a company by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MOFA).

The investigation is nearing completion and is expected to be finalized within a week or two, he said during a media briefing here. SPRM plans to take statements from more witnesses to complete the investigation based on Section 471 of the Corruption, Punishment Act involving known or believed false documents. According to him, SPRM believes there is a criminal aspect to the case, but is focusing on the administrative angle.

However, he cannot comment further as the investigation is still ongoing. Earlier, SPRM's preliminary investigation found that a company was supposed to supply 616,015 bales of steel, but only 333,655 bales were supplied so far, a shortfall of 282,360 bales. The investigation was opened after receiving a complaint alleging that the steel supplier company was not appointed by MOFA for supplying steel under the Padi Production Incentive Scheme (SIPP) in the Lembaga Kemajuan Pertanian Muda region.