KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained a marketing executive from a company linked to a padi fertiliser procurement project valued at RM60 million.
Magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin approved a four-day remand order until Nov 2, following a request by the MACC at the Putrajaya Magistrates' Court this morning.
According to sources, the man, in his 30s, was detained to assist in the investigation, which centres on the award of a 15,000-tonne padi fertiliser supply contract in 2022.
"Preliminary investigations revealed that the company in question has been dormant in Malaysia for the past eight years," a source stated, adding that its parent company is based in Singapore.
The contract, reportedly issued through direct negotiation, has raised red flags.
"The contract's awarding raises serious concerns, as it is believed to have been directed by the organisation's top officials without board approval," the source continued.
The decision, reportedly made under the guise of emergency procurement, has prompted governance questions.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that the commission had launched a probe into "irregularities and leakages" involving the fertiliser project under a ministry-affiliated organisation.
The case is being investigated under Sections 16, 18, and 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.
Yesterday (Oct 29), the MACC said it was investigating a cartel involved in the distribution and supply of padi fertiliser contracts linked to a ministry, with a total value of RM1.8 billion.
The graft busters launched an investigation after conducting a series of raids over the past two days around Kuala Lumpur, including at the organisation's headquarters, the ministry, and nine companies awarded related projects.