Mat Sabu welcomes MACC probe into fertiliser supply delays

Agriculture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu welcomed a corruption investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into delays in the delivery of state-subsidised fertiliser, stating that early intervention was crucial to avoiding finger-pointing and safeguarding paddy farmers. The Minister expressed gratitude for MACC's swift involvement, noting that without it, accusations would be exchanged between individuals.

The fertiliser delays caused frustration among paddy farmers in northern states, leading to protests over late shipments of essential compound fertilizers. Mohamad revealed that his ministry had taken action internally before protests emerged, visiting MADA headquarters to discuss the issue with the director, who confirmed the delay.

The ministry subsequently identified an underperforming supplier and recommended terminating its contract to the Prime Minister and the Finance Ministry, which led to the MACC investigation. The Minister confirmed he had given a statement to anti-graft officers and reiterated the administration's hope that the MACC conducts the investigation impartially.

The government usually designates the National Farmers' Organisation (Nafas) to distribute subsidised fertilisers under the Skim Insentif Pengeluaran Padi (SIPP) to paddy farmers in MADA regions, but a sub-contracted private supplier failed to deliver Baja 3 (compound fertiliser) on time to roughly 100,000 hectares of paddy fields in Kedah and Perlis, prompting the investigation.