RAIS: DON’T DRAG PM INTO SCANDAL
Those helming Felda during ownership transfer must take responsibility, says adviser
PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should not be dragged into speculation involving the transfer of Felda land ownership scandal.
Socio-cultural adviser to the Government Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim said the land ownership scandal should be a lesson to all.
He said those who were helming Felda when the transfer took place had to take responsibility for their actions in conducting the ownership transaction.
“They should explain what is now being raised by the rakyat. The prime minister should not be involved in any speculation at this level, unless there is evidence (that showed) otherwise. The case should be a lesson,” he said.
There have been many negative comments that dragged the prime minister’s name into the scandal since the issue was made public. The dubious land transfer was believed to have taken place when Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd (FIC) appointed a local company as its main developer on June 3, 2014, and it was given full power of attorney to develop the land.
Rais said the four parcels of land should be returned to Felda as the land, which was entrusted to Felda Board, belonged to the rakyat.
“The main issue is actually the land transfer. Did it go through the transfer according to the National Land Code and get the approval of the Felda board of directors?
“Was the power of attorney given to any other parties by the Felda authorities? If yes, was there a power to transfer or to sell (the land)?
“The third question is what was the value imposed and if all procedures were followed, it may not be possible to return the land,” he said.
He said Felda might be eligible for compensation according to the real price of the parcels.
Rais urged police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to conduct investigations without being influenced by politics.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali said the prime minister’s decision to appoint Tan Sri Shahrir Samad as Felda chairman to replace Isa was to resolve internal problems in the agency. He said it was a forward move made by Najib for Shahir to carry out a probe and several cases had been unveiled.
The economist said all parties, especially the opposition, should not blame Najib as every decision made in connection to the transfer was under the responsibility of the agency’s leadership.
“We have to look at the matter thoroughly to find the solution. There is no evidence relating to the prime minister,” he added.
Dr Noor Azlan said it was clear that the then Felda leadership made the decision on the issue and they had to be held responsible.
On Dec 21, the matter about the dubious land transfer was highlighted, which prompted Najib to order that action to be taken if there had been negligence and wrongdoing.
It was reported that ownership of the four parcels of land, was transferred to a private company.
Shahrir was reported as describing it as a “dubious deal” which was only discovered in January this year after he took over from Tan Sri Isa Samad, who was the former chairman of Felda and FIC.