PM Anwar Ibrahim orders MACC to scrutinise delays in fertiliser distribution to Kedah paddy farmers and urges action against underperforming companies
SERDANG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to scrutinise the fertiliser distribution process for paddy farmers in Kedah following delays that have left thousands of farmers facing potential disruption to their crops.
Anwar said he had received a memorandum of protest from affected farmers and wanted the authorities to establish the cause of the delays, including whether the company entrusted with the distribution had fulfilled its obligations.
“I received a memorandum of protest from them, so we have to go back and find out what the cause is.
“Which company was entrusted? Did they fulfil their promise or not? If they did not fulfil it, why was there no action against them?” he said at the closing of the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2026 here today.
Anwar said companies that repeatedly failed to deliver should be replaced, stressing that farmers and paddy growers should not bear the consequences of weaknesses in the distribution system.
“If a company like this repeatedly makes mistakes, cancel it and appoint a new company.
“Don’t make the farmers and paddy growers the victims,” he said.
He also called for enforcement action where warranted, including prosecution through the courts or investigation by the MACC.
“If it needs to be brought to court, bring it to court. If it needs to be investigated by the MACC, let the MACC come in.
“I ask the MACC to come in and review this process,” he said.
Anwar said the issue was particularly serious as farmers were already dealing with other pressures, including weather and water-related problems.
He said the delays could also affect the reputation of the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry despite its efforts to assist farmers.
On Aug 13, Pertubuhan Persaudaraan Pesawah Malaysia (PeSAWAH) chairman Abdul Rashid Yob said about 40,000 of the 60,000 paddy farmers under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) had yet to receive their third, or additional, fertiliser allocation, raising concerns over possible losses during the current paddy season.
On Wednesday, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the ministry would begin distributing the fertiliser from Sept 3, with the entire delivery process targeted for completion within 10 days.
