FELDA TO PROCEED WITH ACTION
Those responsible will face legal or disciplinary measures, says Shahrir
FELDA will proceed with legal or disciplinary action against any board member and officers named in the final forensic audit report concerning the controversial Kuala Lumpur Vertical City (KLVC) project.
Despite some people reportedly denying involvement in the Jalan Semarak land transfer case, Felda chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad said the setting up of a special committee during Thursday’s board of directors’ meeting was based on a recommendation by Felda and Felda Investment Board (FIC).
Speculation was also rife that former Felda chairman Tan Sri Isa Samad would be named in the final report.
He had denied his involvement in the land transaction.
“On the question of whether he (Isa) is involved, that is up to him (his opinion).
“All forensic findings will be studied for further action against those who are identified as being responsible.
“The final report will determine whether they face legal or disciplinary action,” Shahrir said yesterday after a groundbreaking of a road and bridge project across Sungai Tebrau here.
During a media briefing on Friday, Shahrir said the 501-page forensic audit on KLVC highlighted possible elements of misrepresentation and criminal breach of trust.
He said it involved previous board members of Felda and FIC, as well as those at management level during the critical period from June 2014 to September 2014.
Shahrir described PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli as a “serial instigator who had not done his homework” for suggesting his involvement in the land transfer and sale.
“Yes, it is true that the transaction took place in March, during which I had assumed Felda’s chairmanship.
“However, the sale and purchase agreement of the land took place in 2016. Its registration was only the final process of the transfer of property.
“We cannot say that when it happened in March, I would have known and been involved in the matter.
“If there was no sale and purchase agreement, there would not be any land transfer process.
“Hence, what Rafizi said (reflects) his habit of being a serial instigator.”
Berita Harian, in an exclusive report late last year, broke the story of Felda being at risk of losing ownership of the land worth more than RM200 million following what had been described as a “dubious deal”.
The plots of land had been earmarked for the KLVC development project, which would feature seven towers.
The ownership transfer of the plots of land was executed when FIC appointed Synergy Promenade Sdn Bhd (SPSB) as its main developer on June 3, 2014.
The company was granted full power of attorney by FIC to develop the land.
SPSB returned all plots of land involved to Felda on Jan 15, along with all documents relating to the parcels of land alienated to the developer, at no cost.
On Thursday, Felda was instructed to take disciplinary and legal action against those who had been negligent in safeguarding the interests of the government agency and its investment wing, FIC.
The Prime Minister’s Department said the forensic audit conducted on the KLVC project found that there was non-compliance with procurement procedures, and there was also negligence in the safeguarding of Felda’s interests.