KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has acknowledged that investigations into alleged corruption and abuse of power involving the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) have taken considerable time, but maintained that his administration has never sought to obstruct or delay enforcement action.
He said investigations into complex financial misconduct could involve lengthy procedures, including investigation papers being referred repeatedly to the Attorney-General’s Chambers before decisions on prosecution could be made.
READ MORE: Former Felda director-general charged over alleged deception involving Jalan Semarak land
“Sometimes, even I become impatient, just like the Honourable Member. It is taking too long, but that is the situation.
“If there are slight delays, I acknowledge that. We must ensure that enforcement agencies are efficient because sometimes investigations take a long time. Sometimes I think they take far too long,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
Anwar was responding to a supplementary question from Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) during Prime Minister’s Question Time.
Ahmad Fadhli had questioned why investigations into alleged irregularities involving FELDA and its subsidiary, FELDA Investment Corporation (FIC), were being pursued only recently when the transactions in question dated back to between 2010 and 2020.
He referred to investigation papers opened on Aug 24 this year and questioned the timing of subsequent prosecutions.
Anwar explained that a special task force had been established following his administration’s formation in 2022 to examine longstanding issues involving FELDA, with the review process taking considerable time.
He said investigation papers had previously been opened in 2017, 2019 and 2020, while more substantial enforcement action followed subsequent reviews.
“I only direct that investigations be carried out, but I cannot determine whether a particular individual should be charged.
“I want to assure the Honourable Member that I have no intention of using the powers available to me to delay or prevent transparent and open investigations,” he said.
On the status of enforcement action, Anwar confirmed that investigations involving FELDA, FGV Holdings and FIC were ongoing, with several cases already before the courts.
These included proceedings involving former FIC chief executive officer Mohd Zaid Abdul Jalil and former FELDA director-general Datuk Faizoull Ahmad.
Mohd Zaid and Faizoull pleaded not guilty to separate cheating charges at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Sept 29 and 30 respectively, in connection with the development of FELDA-owned land in Jalan Semarak.
Anwar said the alleged irregularities had serious financial consequences, requiring substantial government intervention to protect hundreds of thousands of settlers.
“In business, there are profits and losses. We do not prosecute people simply because losses occur.
“We prosecute because there is abuse of power, improper decisions and corrupt practices. That is why FELDA’s finances have been affected,” he said.
He cited RM9.9 billion in government-backed financing arrangements for FELDA’s recovery, alongside RM990 million in annual financial support.
Anwar also highlighted the Jalan Semarak land controversy, saying approximately 24 hectares of valuable land in Kuala Lumpur had been involved in questionable transactions.
He said the land had been valued at about RM500 million in 2014, while efforts to resolve the disputed agreements remained complicated.
The government would continue supporting settlers while leaving investigations and prosecution decisions to the relevant enforcement authorities, he added.