THE dubious transactions involving two large plots of Felda land in Jalan Semarak, Kuala Lumpur, took place last year on current chairman, Shahrir Samad’s watch, Rafizi Ramli said today.

The ownership transfer for Lot 29788 measuring 25,058sq m, the largest of the 16 lots  involved in the transactions, was registered on March 6; the private caveat for Lot 43 Section 87A measuring 107sq m was registered on April 14, said Rafizi. 

Shahrir succeeded Isa Samad as Felda chairman in January last year. 

“Shahrir knows about them (the transactions) but he didn’t say anything. 

“Why does it seem like he has washed his hands… as if it had all happened during the previous chairman’s time? 

“Perhaps the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission needs to ask him, like how it investigated Isa,” Rafizi, who is the Pandan MP told a press conference in Sungai Besi, this afternoon, which was aired live on his Facebook page. 

Rafizi, who is also PKR vice-president, raised questions about the ownership of the 16 plots of land that are reported to be worth some RM270 million. 

The plots were transferred to development companies Synergy Promenade Sdn Bhd (15 lots) and Synergy Promenade KLVC Sdn Bhd (one lot). 

Shahrir told the media on January 15 that Felda had recovered the ownership of the 16 plots. 

Rafizi today showed copies of the land grant for each lot, which showed when the properties were transferred and that the two companies were still registered as the owners of all the lots.

Rafizi, a trained auditor, said information on the grants was up to date, having been obtained from the authorities at RM30 per grant late last month. 

He said he had compared the various news articles quoting Shahrir on the matter to make sure he did not get it wrong. 

“Shahrir has to explain why the ownership of not a single lot has been transferred back to Felda. What did he mean when he told the press conference on January 15 that the land had been recovered?

“Maybe he will say he had meant something else. He has to explain. But people know that it usually takes months, if not years for average folk, to transfer land ownership. 

“If it has been agreed for the lots to be returned to Felda, then the developer must have put in the application with the land office. What about the stamp duty, which should cost some RM8 million for all the lots?” he said. 

Rafizi also asked Shahrir to explain Synergy Promenade’s plan to build commercial towers and luxury housing projects on five lots that were reserved for Felda offices. 

Rafizi claimed the events surrounding the land were all “sandiwara” (a show) to demonstrate  that the current management, under Shahrir’s leadership, was working to save Felda and was not involved in dealings that did not benefit Felda settlers. 

“It is to convince the settlers and Malays that all the issues I have raised and other (issues) raised by my fellow Pakatan Harapan colleagues are not true. 

“If I hadn’t gotten copies of the land grants, the settlers would sleep well believing that the lots have been returned to Felda.”

Rafizi said he would continue to wait for Shahrir to answer his questions. Felda was also welcome to send directors or officers who could address the issues, he said.

The Malaysian Insight sent Shahrir a WhatsApp message requesting a response to Rafizi’s allegations. 

Shahrir replied: “noted”. – February 8, 2018.