White paper on Felda shows I did not steal RM8 billion, Najib says

Updated 7 years ago · Published on 10 Apr 2019 10:41PM · 10 Comments

Former prime minister Najib Razak says he has been exonerated of theft, after it was revealed in a white paper today that the Felda settlers owe the government RM7.7 billion. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, April 10, 2019.

FORMER prime minister Najib Razak announced this evening on Facebook that he has been vindicated of stealing from Felda by the economic affairs minister, who presented a white paper on the troubled settlement scheme in parliament today.

Najib said the white paper showed that the RM8 billion missing from Felda’s accounts, which the government had said was embezzled, was money that the settlers owed the government.

“I have said this a few times but Pakatan Harapan’s supporters did not believe me,” he said.

“Still want to accuse me of stealing the RM8 billion?”.

It is stated in the white paper that the settlers owed the government a total of RM7.7billion as of 2018.

The debt was accrued through loans for replanting, cost of living aid and advances on yields.

On the potential liquidation of Felda’s assets to improve cash flow, Najib said he hoped the government would not resort to selling Felda land.

“I hope not even an inch of Felda land will be sold.”

Instead of selling Felda’s assets for cash, he said the government should bail out Felda with the RM82 billion that he said was withdrawn from Petronas’ cash reserves, or the RM8.3 billion that Khazanah Nasional Bhd had realised from selling its stake in IHH Healthcare to Japan’s Mitsui & Co., Ltd, last year.

In another post, Najib said Felda never had problems with cash flow when he was the prime minister because the Barisan Nasional government was quick to respond to the needs of settlers

Najib said the 20,000 settlers who had sold their crops to middlemen probably had valid reasons for doing so. 

“The price of fresh fruit is low and payment from Felda is late.”

He said the government was now deducting from the settlers’ income the payments for their debts which it had said it would write off.

“Who made the promise and who caused all of this?”

Meanwhile, the government has worked out RM6.23 billion bailout package for Felda, whose financial woes stem from the time of the Najib administration, the white paper revealed today.

The money will be pumped in by way of loans, grants and government guarantees for the agency to restructure its loan.

It will also create new agricultural activities for settlers so that they are not wholly dependent on oil palm for income.

Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali who tabled the white paper in Parliament today said Felda’s debts had gone up by 1,100% from RM1.2 billion in 2007 to RM14.4 billion in 2017 due to the Najib administration’s mismanagement of the agency and the land scheme.

“During the same period, the value of Felda’s assets had increased by only 107%,” he said. – April 10, 2019. 

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Comments

  • you did not steal but your friend, peter sondak did on your behalf. by buying his share at inflated price...dunggu!

    Posted 7 years ago by . . · Reply

  • Very clear from beginning this deal was done for a hidden agenda otherwise why pushed it through when so many experts raised many red flags.

    Posted 7 years ago by Concerned Citizen · Reply

  • Podah thief! Money stolen via your Indon frriend

    Posted 7 years ago by Watchdog Watchdog · Reply

  • what a statement coming from a kayu boss !! look here idiot its under your watch and you single handed appointed Isa as the chairman wrecking its upside down and only the two of you actually knows each moves taken, so to say you are not involved is just like a 12 year kid giving all the stupid and idiotic excuses. That is why we brought you down.

    Posted 7 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

  • Expedite his trial and convict him . After that immediately send him to the gallows. That shall put an end to all his comical antics

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • You may not be the one putting your hands into the FELDA cookie jar but we have no doubt that you have roped someone like Isa Samad, whom you already know is tainted with corruption, to do the dirty work for you while you just have to ensure authorised acres yo the cookie jar.

    Posted 7 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • You may not be the one putting your hands into the FELDA cookie jar but we have no doubt that you have roped someone like Isa Samad, whom you already know is tainted with corruption, to do the dirty work for you while you just have to ensure authorised acres yo the cookie jar.

    Posted 7 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • Jibby, your friends and cousin are abandoning you.....nothing much in front of you, just watch your back.

    Posted 7 years ago by Jebat Hebat · Reply

  • Felda white paper RM8B you open your mouth contesting it and why didn't you contest the DoJ papers?? Bossku fikir dari bontot tu la sebab

    Posted 7 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

  • It is a shame that Azmin or PH does not immediately rebut the THIEF's lies...

    Posted 7 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply