National farmers' group vows no compromise over fertiliser leakage after Thai seizure

The National Farmers’ Organisation (Nafas) has pledged not to compromise on any misappropriation or leakage of subsidised fertiliser following reports that sacks bearing its subsidiary’s logo, reportedly used to make bombs, were seized in southern Thailand.

Nafas general manager Faris Ariffin said subsidised fertiliser was distributed under strict governance, based on registered orders and quotas.

He said the list of subsidised fertiliser recipients was registered with the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, while local farmers’ organisations manage its distribution to farmers.

“Nafas will never compromise on any activities involving misappropriation, leakages, or cross-border smuggling.  

“We are prepared to extend full cooperation to the police, Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, and border enforcement agencies to assist in further investigations,” he told Malaysiakini when contacted.

520kg seized

Faris was responding to reports that some subsidised paddy fertiliser supplied by a Nafas subsidiary had been detected among materials allegedly used by separatist groups in southern Thailand to manufacture improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Thai authorities reportedly seized about 520kg of urea fertiliser during an operation in Koh Sathon sub-district, Tak Bai, Narathiwat last Friday.

Media reports said the seized fertiliser sacks bore the Malaysian federal government logo and the words identifying Putrajaya’s paddy fertiliser scheme, as well as the logo of a Nafas subsidiary.

Quoting sources, Utusan Malaysia reported that Thailand’s Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 (ISOC 4) said authorities also uncovered 26 sacks of urea fertiliser from Malaysia in an operation.

A suspect in his 40s was also arrested in the 10.16am operation while transporting the fertiliser on a motor tricycle.

“Each sack of fertiliser weighed 20kg. Checks showed that the suspect was previously detained for questioning regarding a security case in 2012.

“We believe the urea fertiliser was meant to be used by separatist groups as a component to manufacture IEDs,” the source told the Malay-language daily.

The source said the operation had prevented a potentially more serious incident, particularly as southern Thailand had experienced dozens of attacks and bombings in recent weeks.

Previously, Thai authorities were reported to have revealed that urea fertiliser is among the materials used to make bombs in blast incidents in southern Thailand.

ISOC 4 director Naratip Phoyanok said interrogations of several detained individuals revealed that the urea fertiliser was brought in from the neighbouring country.

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