Anak mulls suit over Najib's 'haram jadah' slur

PAS-linked NGO Anak today demanded Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak apologise for referring to Felda settlers opposed to the Felda Global Ventures (FGVH) listing as 'haram jadah' (illegitimate children).

"According to Kamus Dewan, 'haram jadah' means born out of wedlock, something that should not have been uttered by a prime minister against his own people.

"Settlers opposing the listing is a question of their right to protect their interests, and the prime minister should not have labelled them 'haram jadah'," said PAS information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (right) at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

He added that if Najib does not withdraw the statement within 14 days, Anak will take legal action against the premier.

The premier made the statement on May 18 when he announced a RM15,000 “windfall” for every Felda household as an incentive to support the listing on Bursa Malaysia.

Expect backlash

Meanwhile, Anak president Mazlan Aliman said the premier's negative statement has caused a backlash against settlers who were opposed to the public listing plan.

"When the prime minister said he was not willing (to give the windfall to those who had opposed the listing), now that the money is being distributed, some settlers are being threatened that they will not get their money, they were told 'You are haram jadah, you don't need this money,'" he said.

He added that the money was settlers' right as it is being drawn from Felda and its subsidiary companies.

In a related matter, Mazlan questioned the issuance of loan forms to settlers for the purchase of FGVH shares when the Securities Commission has yet to approve the listing of company.

"The Securities Commission has said that they will investigate and have advised us to file a complaint we Bank Negara," he said.

Meanwhile, Mazlan said its injunction against the public listing of FGvVH filed at the Kuantan High Court is expected to be heard on May 16.