ANAK and BAPA turn heat on Felda, Felcra

National Felda Settlers’ Children’s Association (ANAK) will lodge a report with Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) over Felda's recent RM6 billion loan from the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).

Its chairman Mazlan Aliman said the decision was taken following muted response from the minister in charge, deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Ahmad Maslan, on the purpose of the RM6 billion loan by the body from EPF.

According to Mazlan, there were speculation that RM1.5 billion from the sum was used to buy sugar factory Malayan Sugar Manufacturing Co (MSM) from billionaire tycoon Robert Kuok.

“I have lodged a police report on the matter, and there has been no explanation from Maslan or Felda. I only receive a letter from the police station saying the case should be refered to MACC," he told reporters at the PAS headquarters yesterday.

In his report to the Commission, Mazlan said besides the deputy minister, several other individuals will be named, including prime minister Najib Razak, Felda chairman Isa Samad and director Dzulkifli Abdul Wahab.

Mazlan said there were concerns that the loan had been used unethically and as such would have negative implication to the assets owned by the settlers in the future.

Mazlan said Felda’s image had been seriously tarnished following increasing number of settlers filing suits against the land authority over frauds and breach of trust.

“Now the settlers are aware that they have been discriminated by Felda. At this moment, Felda is facing a series of suits across the country, and the number is growing to the extent that our lawyers are too busy dealing with the enthusiasm of the settlers who wish to file the suits,” he said.

Mazlan said the lawsuits were filed by settlers from Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Kelantan.

Last August, Felda Kemahang 3 settlers in Kelantan won a RM11 million lawsuit as compensation from Felda after the court ruled that the land authority had cheated the settlers in the weighing of the palm oil.

“Felda must give space for the settlers to state their problems and reclaim their rights. I have repeatedly said that Felda must hold discussion with the settlers," he stressed, adding that Felda had refused all requests for dialogue.

Heat on Felcra next

Meanwhile, following the victory of by a group of settlers from Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra), who filed a suit against Felcra Berhad, Mazlan warned it would spur more revelations of fraudulent practices by the authority.

The PAS-initiated BAPA, the Malay acronym for Felcra Participants Action Organisation (Badan Bertindak Peserta Felcra), helped Mohamad Ramly Sanji, a Felcra scheme participant, to file a lawsuit against Felcra's attempt to take over his two-hectare property in Kacu Tapah, Perak, which he had inherited from his mother.

Ipoh High Court judicial commissioner Hassan Abd Rahman ruled that the agreement between Felcra and Mohamad Ramly's mother was not valid and instructed Felcra to vacate the land in 30 days at the agency's own cost.

“This is a sweet victory to Felcra’s settlers, which is another land development institution. This will open the road to more exposes on the wrongdoings and abuse of power in Felcra. What happens in Felcra is worse than Felda,” said Mazlan.

Mazlan said BAPA was currently gathering evidences of fraud against Felcra especially in Perak.

- Harakahdaily