Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has opened an investigation into delays in the distribution of supplementary compound fertiliser to padi farmers in Kedah.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, in a statement today, MACC said its Kedah branch opened the investigation following a complaint lodged by the Pertubuhan Persaudaraan Pesawah Malaysia (PESAWAH) organisation on August 26 over delays in the supply of the fertiliser.

The supplier appointed by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) has delayed the fertiliser needed by padi farmers in the 100,000-hectare area under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA).

The statement from MACC mentioned that the investigation is not only focusing on the criminal aspect but also looking into any governance weaknesses that may have contributed to the delay. So far, MACC has recorded the statement of a witness from PESAWAH and obtained several relevant documents.

MACC acknowledged the call and concern expressed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim regarding the issue and confirmed that it has engaged with KPKM and MADA for further investigation.

Meanwhile, MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman confirmed that the investigation was initiated under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009.

Previously, the media reported a call by Pengkalan Kundor assemblyman Mardhiyyah Johari for the government to consider compensating padi farmers who suffered losses due to delays in the distribution of supplementary compound fertiliser, known as 'Baja Padi 3', in the MADA area. The delay has affected about 38,000 farmers, involving 78,117 hectares of padi fields.

On August 18, MADA reported that 22 per cent, or 137,560 bags, of Baja Padi 3 had been supplied against the total requirement of 616,015 bags.