NAJIB ASKS FELDA TO TAKE ACTION
Ensure interests of Felda, settlers are protected, says prime minister
PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has directed Felda to take the necessary action to ensure its interests in the Jalan Semarak land deal are protected.
“We will protect the interests of Felda and the settlers in our development efforts,” he said in a Twitter post yesterday.
Najib was commenting on the Berita Harian exposé on Thursday over a dubious deal, in which Felda risked losing rights to 6.72ha of land, comprising four parcels worth RM270 million, in Jalan Semarak here.
The prime minister said investigations would be conducted to look into any omission or offence by those involved in the deal.
“At the same time, I want a detailed investigation to be conducted by the authorities immediately. Action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation,” Najib said.
The prime minister said that steps to preserve the interests of Felda and settlers in the land deal should be taken.
Following the Berita Harian report, Felda chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad said at a press conference on Thursday they had lodged a police report on the matter on Dec 12.
He said other actions being taken included registering a caveat on the land, revoking the issued power of attorney (PA) and taking civil action against the parties involved.
Shahrir said the Prime Minister’s Department regulatory unit would appoint an independent auditor to conduct an internal inquiry into the issue.
He added that investigation into the deal would begin as early as next month.
Shahrir said it was strange how ownership of the land, which belonged to a government institution, could be transferred so easily.
Normally, development projects involving governmentowned land and government agencies involved only the transfer of the strata title, not ownership of the whole property, he said.
He disclosed that the company holding the PA had allegedly sold the land to itself.
“The company sold the land to itself at the said value, but no one from Felda signed the document (sales purchase agreement),” he reportedly said.
He revealed that the ownership of the land, from four sales and purchase agreements worth RM269.78 million involving 6.57ha in Jalan Semarak, was transferred between 2015 and last year.
Shahrir said no payments had been received from the company to date, and the Felda board of directors was also not informed of the ownership transfer.
“We hear it involved millions of ringgit, but we have not received anything. Not even one sen,” he said, adding that the company was summoned as soon as the management and administration received news of the case.