PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim today showed documents to prove that he is the one who signed a debt waiver scheme for the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) settlers.

Anwar released part of the Assignment for Financial Service Reserve Account (FSRA) agreement documents related to the government guarantee to Felda, which was made on June 26.

The agreement bore the signature of Anwar, who is also the finance minister.

Anwar was responding to his predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin’s demand for an open and unconditional written apology over the prime minister’s claim that the Felda settlers’ debts, totalling RM8.3 billion, were not waived under the Perikatan Nasional chairman’s administration.

Muhyiddin also wanted Anwar to furnish documents to prove that the latter had signed the debt waiver.

After releasing the documents, Anwar, in turn, demanded that Muhyiddin apologise to him for the slander.

He also provided the payment instruction document, which showed that RM990 million was paid on July 18.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the Finance Ministry confirmed that the FSRA agreement was signed by Anwar on June 26.

“As announced through a press release dated June 28, this agreement involves a government guarantee of RM9.9 billion to Felda to restructure the agency’s loans through the issuance of sukuk (an Islamic financial certificate) and revolving credit in an effort to restore Felda’s financial position,” it said.

“Under the agreement, the government will finance the repayment of the sukuk through a grant allocation of RM990 million annually for a period of 10 years.”

Hence, the ministry confirmed that the first disbursement of the RM990 million was done on July 18 in line with the allocation provided in Budget 2023.

It said the completion of the government guarantee agreement and disbursement of allocation to Felda was an important element implemented by the unity government.

“This is to ensure the survival of Felda, among others, taking into account the impact on the agency’s cash flow and financial position following the elimination of the settlers’ debts,” it added. – July 20, 2023.