Bernama reported that magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin granted the remand application submitted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at the Putrajaya magistrates’ court this morning.

The report quoted sources as saying the male suspect in his 30s was detained to assist in the investigations while giving his statement at the MACC headquarters late yesterday evening.

This follows a report yesterday, confirmed by MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, that MACC had launched an investigation into an alleged cartel involving a contract for the distribution and supply of padi fertiliser awarded to an organisation under a ministry.

A MACC source said the anti-graft agency had conducted a series of raids in and around Kuala Lumpur, including at the headquarters of the organisation, the ministry and nine firms allegedly involved in the cartel.

The source said the RM1.8 billion contract was awarded to the organisation for a duration of 30 months, from 2021 to 2023.

The source added that the organisation was responsible for producing fertiliser for padi and distributing it to farmers across the country through its state-level offices.

In the Bernama report today, a source said initial investigations revealed that the company in Malaysia had been dormant for the past eight years.

“However, its parent company is based in Singapore. The company is said to have received a fertiliser supply contract involving 15,000 tonnes, worth approximately RM60 million, in 2022.

“The awarding of the contract is highly suspicious as it is believed to have been issued by a directive from the highest level of the organisation without board approval and granted through direct negotiation on the grounds that it was an emergency purchase,” said the source.