Felda wants land ownership back

Civil action against company involved in transfer is possible, says Shahrir

KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) is intent on getting back ownership of four plots of land estimated to be worth RM270mil along Jalan Semarak here following an ownership transfer deal with a company in 2014.

Its chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad said Felda had taken several measures to get back ownership fromSynergy Prominade Sdn Bhd, including filing a police report on Dec 12.

He said it had taken steps to revoke the Power of Attorney (POA) given to the company which was approved by Felda’s board in 2014, and to register caveats on the land.

“What is important to us, the board and the Prime Minister now is to get back ownership of the land, although they have a master development plan and some projects,” Shahrir told a press conference at Menara Felda yesterday.

He was responding to a news report that Felda might lose ownership of the land in question.

The transfer of ownership was believed to have taken place when Felda’s investment arm, Felda Investment Corp, appointed the company as its main developer in June 2014.

“As the POA holder, the company had sold the land to itself. No representative from Felda had signed any documents when they sold the land to itself,” said Shahrir.

He added that he discovered the matter after taking over Felda’s chairman post in January this year and informed the Prime Minister.

“We were amazed to hear about the change of ownership which easily involved millions of ringgit, but Felda did not receive a single sen ... no payment was made,” he said.

“We want the police to investigate the case. Various steps had been taken prior to this, including discussions with the company, but they were futile.”

Shahrir also did not discount the possibility of taking civil action against the company and a third party auditor be appointed by the Prime Minister’s Department to look into the deal.

The auditor, he said, would look into whether there was any breach in regulations within Felda and whether the transaction was valid.

He also said negotiations with the company were still open.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Razali Ibrahim did not discount the possibility of corruption involved in the matter.

He said all aspects should be looked into, including civil action.

“We are also looking into compliance with the internal (Felda) rules,” Razali said.

“These are among the considerations being taken by the Prime Minister’s Department. If we find any wrongdoing, even by the staff in Felda, this could be part of the consideration.

“Our priority is to get back the land ownership.”

What is important to us, the board and the Prime Minister now is to get back ownership of the land. Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad