Opposition trains guns on ex-Felda boss Isa Samad amid probe

Opposition leaders have trained their guns on former Felda chairperson Isa Samad following corruption investigations into the federal agency.

"Every agreement, investment and asset purchase must be looked into to ensure that the investments and purchases give benefit to Felda and its settlers," said PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar.

She questioned how Isa is allowed to head Felda Global Ventures (FGV) after being removed as Felda chairperson, despite the many failures and losses incurred under his leadership of the federal agency.

"I still question that Isa is allowed to remain in FGV, despite the fact that his tenure saw massive losses to the federal agency.

"What good is there to maintain a failed political appointee?" she asked, calling for the removal of all officials from Felda during that period.

The Lembah Pantai lawmaker noted that yesterday the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) arrested several Felda top officials for alleged abuse of power in relation to an RM47.6 million Sturgeon rearing project.

"The arrest of the officials is not a good start for Felda as it struggles with leakages and an unstable management," she said in a statement.

Echoing PKR, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) called for a comprehensive re-examination of Felda's financial management.

Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub said in a statement that this is necessary as Felda, especially during Isa's tenure as chairperson, had lost millions of Ringgit because of poor planning and implementation of projects, which was highlighted in the latest auditor-general's audit report.

"I wonder what Isa did in the time that he helmed the agency. Was he ignorant of all the abuses that took place during his tenure?" he asked.

Meanwhile, Nurul also questioned the move by newly appointed Felda chairperson Shahrir Samad to simply sell-off Felda assets like its overseas properties and shares in Maybank Berhad to generate cash to absorb its losses from leakages that he admitted existed.

She argued that Felda's decision to sell off its assets is not the only measure that is needed to restore Felda to its former glory and may be the easy way out.

Nurul urged Shahrir to table a comprehensive blueprint for Felda's reorganisation to the public as well as to parliament, to restore public confidence in the agency.

She said that Shahrir was appointed to calm the anger of settlers who want change.

So if he fails to be proactive and dedicated in administering Felda, she proposed that he resign for the sake of the settlers and Felda's future, and let a capable businessperson do the job instead of another politician.- Mkini