PRIME Minister Najib Razak cannot wash his hands of the latest scandal to befall Felda as he was the one who appointed its former chairman, Mohd Isa Abdul Samad, says Persatuan Anak Peneroka Felda Kebangsaan (Anak).

Anak president Mazlan Aliman said despite objections from various parties, Najib went ahead with Isa’s appointment in 2011.

“Following the concept of ‘shared responsibility’, Isa Samad should not be the only one to blame. Sorry, Najib… You are responsible for the catastrophe that has struck Felda.

“This is the prime minister who introduced ‘illegal gambling’ to settlers who opposed the FGV (Felda Global Ventures) listing on Bursa Malaysia,” Mazlan said in a statement today.

Reports had this week surfaced that four parcels of Felda land worth an estimated RM1 billion in Kuala Lumpur, the ownership of which was transferred to a private company under suspicious circumstances, were sold for only RM270 million.

Current Felda chief Shahrir Samad had said the agency would do all it could to get the land back, including by filing a police report on December 12.

Mazlan, however, said he sympathised with Shahrir’s position as he bore the burden of having to clean up after those who had left behind a sour legacy.

Mazlan said he had, in 2014, opposed the development of Felda’s land in Jalan Semarak as it was in the initial stages of development.

“Those who had feared the worst about the Jalan Semarak development back then are now finding that they were right,” he said, adding that he urged the prime minister and the relevant authorities to reveal what their plans were moving forward.

Mazlan said those involved in the Jalan Semarak land sale were still part of the Felda board of directors.

“This entire shady business could have been avoided had the prime minister, (Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department) Razali Ibrahim and the Felda board of directors stepped in at the beginning.”

He also questioned the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s role in the issue.

“I’m not sure what role the MACC plays in regard to the Felda-MACC integrity plan.

“Is it possible the MACC turned a blind eye?” – December 24, 2017.