Manager held over RM2.5m fund abuse

MELAKA: A Melaka Area Farmers’ Organisation (PPK) project manager was remanded for six days to assist the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s probe into the misappropriation of RM2.54 million in government funds.

According to sources, the suspect, 38, was believed to have submitted 23 false claims amounting to RM2.54 million involving 56,700 fertiliser bags last year, which had not been approved by the Melaka PPK’s Screening Board.

It is understood that the fertilisers should be claimed by the PPK, on behalf of farmers in the padi farming sector who participated in the scheme, and distributed to them.

However, the suspect is believed to have resold the fertilisers.

He was nabbed at the state Farmers’ Organisation Authority Office in Jalan Hang Tuah here, about 3pm on Monday.

MACC’s Investigation Department senior director Datuk Simi Abdul Ghani confirmed the arrest.

The remand order on the suspect yesterday was issued by magistrate Hurman Hussain.

The man, clad in MACC lock-up attire, arrived at the Melaka Court Complex at 11am and left the court compound 30 minutes later.

He is being investigated under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Act 2009 for making false claims.