AGRICULTURE and Agro-based Industries Ministry secretary-general Mohd Sallehhuddin Hassan has been transferred to the Public Service Department (JPA) following his alleged involvement in RM1.4 billion padi tender, according to government sources.

They said the transfer took place last Friday, a day after MCA president Wee Ka Siong raised the matter in Parliament, highlighting the ministry awarded a direct contract worth RM1.4 billion.

“After the matter was exposed in Parliament, the next day he was placed in the JPA pool. The deputy secretary-general will now be looking at the ministry duties,” a source told The Malaysian Insight.

Primary Industries director-general Dr Tan Yew Chong is also transferred to the JPA, effective today.

Sources at both ministries told The Malaysian Insight that with the transfer, the positions of two secretary-generals will be suspended until suitable candidates can be found.

Sallehhuddin came under the spotlight recently after an Amanah member complained that he had “sabotaged” Agriculture Minister Salahuddin Ayub in the RM1.4 billion padi contract.

The Amanah member alleged that Sallehhuddin had granted the fertiliser tender without the minister’s knowledge.

“After the contract was given to a company, Nafas appealed to the ministry and the Finance Ministry to reconsider, giving the farmers’ association the contract instead,” the member told a news portal on Sunday.

Earlier today, Salahuddin said questions about Sallehhuddin must be directed to the chief secretary to the government.

Similarly, Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad alleged there were attempts by ministry officials to sabotage Salahuddin by awarding and cancelling tenders without informing him.

Meanwhile, Tourism Ministry secretary-general Isham Ishak will be transferred to the Transport Ministry, while Home Ministry deputy secretary-general Jamil Rakon has been promoted to secretary-general at the same ministry.

Both transfers and promotions are with immediate effect. – November 25, 2019.