Rafizi: Isn't PM aware of Felda's splurge on hotels?

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and other cabinet members would likely have given the greenlight for Felda Investment Corporation's (FIC) acquisition of a luxury hotel in London, which is currently under a corruption investigation, PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli says.

Rafizi said the FIC's acquisition of the hotel would have required the permission of the Economic Planning Unit's (EPU) Economic Council, chaired by Najib, because all big government investments abroad require the council's approval.

This was evident, said Rafizi, when former Mara chairperson Annuar Musa explained how the agency acquired properties in Australia that were also subjected to investigaion by the MACC.

At the time, Najib explained that the Economic Council's decision to approve Mara's acquisition was not his decision alone and was made with the consensus of all council members.

"In view of this, the purchase of the hotel in London by FIC would have gone through the same approval process: It was brought to the attention of and approved by the Economic Council, chaired by the prime minister and other senior ministers," Rafizi said in a statement today.

The Economic Council was established on July 30, 2008, to deal with economic issues when Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was prime minister.

More roles for council with Najib as PM

After Najib became prime minister, the Economic Council took over the roles of other government councils and cabinet committees, including the cabinet committee on investments.

The MACC is investigating allegations that FIC overpaid for a hotel in Kensington, London, and for another hotel in Kuching between 2013 and 2015.

Several former Felda executives, including its chairperson Mohd Isa Samad, have been arrested to assist in the investigations. Isa's two houses have also been searched for evidence.

Rafizi said that if Isa was being probed for misappropriating Felda's money and receiving inducements, then members of the Economic Council must also be subjected to the same treatment.

"If there is evidence that they were aware that the acquisition of the hotel involved foul play, because it was more expensive than it should be, and yet they approved it, then (the Economic Council) should be probed for suspicion of receiving inducement.

"If there is proof that they received inducement, then they should be arrested, just like Isa.

"If they were unaware of foul play but failed to identify the risk of the investment and failed to identify if Felda had overpaid, then it means that (the Economic Council) makan gaji buta (failed in its duties) for breach of trust as members of the Economic Council.

"They ought to be sacked. If they have any dignity, they should resign," Rafizi said.

He also urged the people and his Pakatan Harapan allies not to rejoice over Isa's arrest because it was likely that the latter was just a scapegoat.

"It is uncertain if we can uncover the truth behind this issue, unless there is a thorough investigation," Rafizi added. - Mkini