‘MACC Must Investigate Fertiliser Distribution Delays to Farmers in Kedah’ – PM

SERDANG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has directed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate the processes related to delays in fertiliser distribution to farmers in Kedah.

Anwar said the delay has affected farmers who have already voiced their concerns and submitted a memorandum to him.

He said the government needs to identify the cause of the delay, including the company entrusted with distributing the fertiliser and whether the company in question has fulfilled its responsibilities.

“We need to know what the cause is. Which company was given the responsibility, have they kept their promises or not.

“If not, why is there no action against them,” he said in a speech at the closing ceremony of the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2026 here today.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said enforcement action must be taken if necessary, including bringing those responsible to court or charging them.

“If necessary, bring them to court. If necessary to charge them, let MACC step in and conduct an investigation,” he said.

Anwar said he had already directed MACC to investigate the matter and scrutinise the processes involved, as the Ministry of Agriculture’s record is good.

He said delays involving agricultural assistance are very serious because farmers are already facing various challenges, including weather and water problems.

“Do not let this become an issue that further burdens them. They are already facing weather and water problems; this is something we cannot allow,” he said.

In January, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) was reported to be reviewing the subsidised fertiliser supply chain following complaints from farmers regarding supply delays that affected crop growth and caused them to incur additional costs.

KPKM said the previous short contract periods caused supply disruptions when contracts expired before new suppliers were appointed.

Reforms in the procurement process, including contracts for longer periods, were subsequently implemented to ensure supply continuity.

In August, the Kedah Darul Aman Information Secretariat reported that delays in subsidised fertiliser supply, coupled with a nearly three-month vacancy in the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) chairman’s post, had affected rice cultivation and increased pressure on farmers.

The Secretariat cited Kota Siputeh State Assemblyman Mohd Ashraf Mustaqim Badrul Munir as saying that governance weaknesses, particularly in KPKM, had caused lingering issues related to agricultural inputs to remain unresolved.

Ashraf said that as of 29 June, only 37,560 bags of Additional 3 Compound Fertiliser for Paddy had been received, representing only six percent of the total requirement of 616,015 bags.

Of that amount, only 30,799 bags were distributed, resulting in an estimated shortfall of 160,000 bags.

According to the Department of Agriculture’s guidelines, compound fertiliser should be applied between 15 to 20 days after planting, while urea is needed approximately 25 to 40 days after planting.

Additional compound fertiliser is used during the early stage of panicle formation and flowering, depending on the maturity period of the paddy variety.

Berita Harian