Weak governance, breach of trust to blame, says MACC

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) believes that the case involving the ownership transfer of Felda land worth over RM200 million was due to weakness in governance and breach of trust.

Its deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki said the commission had analysed information in connection with the case after several reports were lodged last month.

Azam said the graft busters believed there was no bribery or abuse of power in the case.

“It (the investigation) finds the incident was due to weak governance and breach of trust. Hence, the case has been referred to the police for action.

“We were also notified that Felda had reported the matter to the police and it was under investigation,” he said.

Azam said if police discovered there were elements of corruption or abuse of power, the MACC welcomed them to share information for further action.

“The police can also investigate as they have the authority to probe corruption cases,” he said.

It was reported that Felda was at risk of losing ownership of the piece of land following what had been described as a “dubious deal” in 2015. The plot of land, which has been earmarked for the Kuala Lumpur Vertical City (KLVC) development project, will feature seven towers, including Felda’s iconic tower, to be known as KLVC Tower 1A.

A search on the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) web portal showed that KLVC Tower 1A had been approved for construction, alongside a 68-floor office building. The office complex will feature 59 floors of office space, a two-floor office podium including parking lots, a six-floor car park, a two-storey underground car park, a rooftop garden, as well as a helipad.

Sources said the ownership transfer of the land took place when Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd appointed a local company as its main developer on June 3, 2014, and it was granted full power of attorney to develop the land.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister Department Datuk Razali Ibrahim said he would not deny the possibility that the there were elements of power abuse and corruption.

“Power abuse goes hand-inhand with corruption. “We will be able to establish any elements of corruption and fraud, once internal investigations are concluded,” he said at the same press conference called by Felda chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Samad yesterday.

Razali, who has Felda as one of his portfolios, said his office would appoint an external audit company to investigate possible power abuse.

This, he said, would happen from next month.

“We do not want to lose the land. Our priority now is to regain the land ownership,” he said.