Ex-Umno senator and Anak lodge MACC report against Felda

Former Umno senator Ezam Md Noor today joined forces with Persatuan Anak Peneroka Felda Kebangsaan (Anak) in lodging a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) report against the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda).

Ezam, together with Anak chairperson Mazlan Aliman, submitted a memorandum at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya, urging the graft-busters to investigate the federal agency.

The move came amid concerns, including those shared by the prime minister's brother Nazir Abdul Razak, on Felda's planned acquisition of a 37 percent stake in PT Eagle High Plantations Tbk at US$505 million.

This was after Felda Global Ventures' (FGV) attempt to acquire a the stake in the Indonesian company for US$680 million fell apart amid protest from shareholders. FGV is 21 percent owned by Felda.

"We hope for an immediate response from MACC as it has become ever more urgent with various issues afflicting Felda, including the fall in FGV share prices, the move by the Employees Provident Fund to dump FGV shares and the planned acquisition of the Indonesian company," said Ezam.

Ezam, who is also Hisbah Centre chairperson, said these developments should have spurred the MACC to take proactive action as it was a matter of public interest.

Auditor-general's report

Meanwhile, Mazlan also urged the MACC to look at the auditor-general's report which highlighted several issues affecting Felda.

"Even though Felda had responded to the audit findings in the auditor-general's report, there are still many questions, more so when it involves large amounts of money," he said.

In the complaint to MACC, it named Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Razali Ibrahim, Felda chairperson Mohd Isa Samad, Felda director-general Hanapi Suhada and former Felda director-general Faizoull Ahmad as persons of interests.

Ezam quit Umno in October after expressing unhappiness at the government's move to keep the auditor-general's report on 1MDB under wraps using the Official Secrets Act 1972.

Ezam is a member of Bersatu while Mazlan is with Amanah.- Mkini