BUTTERWORTH: Investigations into the National Farmers' Organisation (Nafas) over alleged cartel involvement in the distribution and supply of padi fertiliser contracts should be left to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said authorities have the right to conduct inquiries into any government agency.
"Whoever it is without exception, if there is a case, the MACC will make a move. If it's a criminal case, the police will go in. Iit doesn't matter what department or rank, government-linked companies or private," he said at the National Hawkers and Petty Traders Carnival 2024 (HPPK2024).
On Tuesday, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that it is 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.
It launched the 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.
According to sources, the project under the ministry was awarded to the organisation for a period of 30 months from 2021 to 2023.
The source explained that the organisation was responsible for producing padi fertiliser and distributing it to farmers nationwide through its state-level offices.