IPOH: Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said his recent actions concerning the National Farmers' Organisation (Nafas) have full backing from Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Mohamad said before suspending the board members and initiating investigations into Nafas, a meeting was held with the Umno president to clarify the matter.
He said that this was important to quell any political speculation surrounding the ongoing investigation into Nafas by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
"The speculation is that Amanah (Parti Amanah Negara) wants to control Nafas and remove Umno members within Nafas. That's why I informed Zahid, and he agreed 100 per cent that this has nothing to do with any political party.
"The important thing is that Zahid also agreed (to the investigation), and he even mentioned the names of certain individuals involved, but I won't name them here. That is up to MACC. We are not punishing anyone without clearly obtained information," he said.
Mohamad, who is also the Amanah president said this in a press conference after opening the Perak Amanah Convention 2024 at the Hotel Casuarina @ Meru here, today.
Also present were Perak Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof, Perak Amanah chairman Datuk Asmuni Awi and several leaders of the state unity government party.
Meanwhile, Mohamad said the Nafas Advisory Council headed by former Public Service director-general Tan Sri Zainal Rahim Seman, who began his duties after being appointed on Nov 8, has been given the freedom to carry out the organisation's reform agenda.
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/1131221/zainal-rahim-appointe...
"We have granted him freedom because he is a professional and was chosen based on his integrity during his previous service. Tan Sri appears willing to shoulder the responsibility of overseeing governance within Nafas itself.
"I believe that once things are corrected, we will rely on the reforms happening within Nafas. When they are complete, we will proceed with new amendments that we will implement," he said.
On Oct 29, it was reported that the MACC 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.
https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2024/10/1127247/macc-investigat...
A day later, it was reported that the MACC detained a marketing executive from a company linked to a padi fertiliser procurement project valued at RM60 million.
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/10/1127641/marketing-executive-d...
Following the arrest, the graft buster arrested four more individuals, including two former general managers of a public organisation to assist the probe.
https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2024/11/1129077/two-more-arrest...