PM wants probe on Felda’s Jln Semarak deal

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 22): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak wants to get to the bottom of the allegedly dubious ownership transfer of a RM270 million plot in Jalan Semarak which belonged to the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda).

In a series of tweets, Najib said: “Upon learning about the Jalan Semarak issue, I have instructed Felda to take the necessary actions to protect the interests of Felda settlers.

“An investigation will take place to determine if there were elements of negligence or fraud by those involved, and actions will be taken based of the investigation reports,” reported the malay mail online.

It was reported yesterday that Felda is in danger of losing ownership of a piece of land worth RM200 million along Jalan Semarak, as a result of a “dubious deal” that took place about two years ago. The RM200 million figure was later updated to an estimated RM270 million.

The land is supposed to be for the Kuala Lumpur Vertical City (KLVC) development project which will comprise seven towers, including Felda’s KLVC Tower1A.

The tower will have 59 floors of offices, a two-floor office podium with parking lots, a six-floor car park, a two-storey underground car park, a rooftop garden and a helipad.

Yesterday, Felda announced it will take all forms of action to regain ownership of the land, Bernama reported.

Chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Samad said a police report had already been lodged on Dec 12 over the alleged dubious ownership transfer.

"We lodged a police report as we feared it was a fraudulent land deal," he said, 

Queried over the contents of the police report, Shahrir said the company holding power of attorney on the land was named but the name of former Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad was not mentioned, Bernama reported.

Other actions taken were registering a caveat on the land, revoking the power of attorney issued and taking civil action against the parties involved.

He also added that it was strange how ownership of the land which belonged to a government institution could be transferred so easily.

Shahrir explained that development projects involving government-owned land and government agencies would usually only involve the transfer of strata title not ownership of the whole property.

He added that as the PA holder (authorisation to represent), the company was found to have sold the land to itself, Bernama reported. 

"The company sold the land to itself at the said value, but no one from Felda signed the document (sales purchase agreement)."

Meanwhile, an organisation of second-generation Felda settlers called Persatuan Anak Peneroka Felda (Anak) has also lodged a police report today over the ownership transfer of the land.

“The police report was lodged at the Central Johor Bahru police station this morning, at 10.30am, by seven people.

“It will be followed by similar reports by Felda groups around the country ,” Anak president Mazlan Aliman told The Malaysian Insight.