Mat Sabu welcomes MACC probe into fertiliser supply delays

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu today welcomed a swift corruption probe into delays surrounding state-subsidised fertiliser deliveries, saying early intervention was critical to preventing finger-pointing and protecting paddy farmers.

Addressing Parliament on the delays affecting farmers under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA), Mohamad said he welcomed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) rapid involvement to resolve the dispute and enforce accountability.

“I express my gratitude here because MACC moved in quickly. That is very good,” Mohamad said during Question Time.

“Otherwise, accusations would be thrown back and forth at this person or that person. But stepping in quickly allowed the issue to be resolved.”

The delays had sparked frustration among paddy farmers in the country’s northern states, fuelling protests placards over late shipments of compound fertilisers essential for seasonal planting cycles.

Mohamad clarified that his ministry took direct action behind closed doors before public protests escalated, including conducting an unannounced visit to MADA headquarters to meet with its director.

“On this fertiliser issue, even before there were protest placards raised, I had already taken action, though I didn’t announce it publicly,” he said.

“I went privately to MADA and met with the director to discuss it. He confirmed there was indeed a delay.”

Following consultations with newly appointed MADA leadership, the ministry identified an underperforming supplier and recommended terminating its contract directly to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Ministry of Finance, Mohamad said.

The company’s contract was subsequently revoked, triggering the MACC investigation.

The minister, who confirmed he had personally given a statement to anti-graft officers to assist in the investigation, reiterated that the administration hopes the MACC acts “without fear or favour” to set a precedent against systemic supply chain failures.

“I was also called in to give my statement to MACC. I am very glad this issue could be resolved and that the best way forward was found for the interest of the farmers,” Mohamad said, adding that criminal liability can only be determined by investigators.

“As for who committed corruption or not, it is not for us to accuse. Leave it to the investigating authorities.”

The government typically appoints the National Farmers’ Organisation (Nafas) as the designated body responsible for distributing subsidised fertilisers under the Skim Insentif Pengeluaran Padi (SIPP) to paddy farmers in MADA regions.

The MACC launched an investigation following complaints that a sub-contracted private supplier appointed under the KPKM-Nafas framework failed to deliver Baja 3 (compound fertiliser) on schedule to roughly 100,000 hectares of paddy fields under MADA in Kedah and Perlis.