There is rampant nepotism and misappropriation of funds amounting to 'tens of millions' of ringgit in the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama), claimed a watchdog today.

Citing a source in the agency, the Movement for Democracy and Anti-Corruption or Gerak alleged that dozens of Fama staff have misappropriated funds and abused their authority.

In a 20-page report submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry in Putrajaya this afternoon, Gerak chairperson Ezam Mohd Noor ( right ) called for a public inquiry into the allegations.

The report also implicated Fama director-general Shariff Abdul Aziz. Fama is the government's marketing arm for agricultural products.

"From initial investigations that Gerak has done, abuses of power within this agency have reached a critical level. It has to be stopped because it involves an agency that is supposed to protect the rights of farmers in the country," said Ezam.

He was speaking to reporters after handing over the report to minister Muhiyiddin Yassin's special officer Azhar Abu Bakar.

No action taken

Ezam said Gerak was informed that the allegations have been made known to the Prime Minister's Department, the Anti-Corruption Agency and other relevant agencies but no action has been taken.

He said Gerak's report, which was not made available to the media, contained the names of officers who were allegedly corrupt. The report cites 15 cases of nepotism and 12 cases of misappropriation of funds.

He also did not reveal the total amount of money allegedly misappropriated, beyond saying that it involved "at least tens of millions" of ringgit.

"We've compiled a report from someone from within the agency that was willing to speak. This is not something new. There has been a lot of grouses in the past, but action was never taken," he said.