Company’s decision to return Felda land at no cost queried

PETALING JAYA: Felda chairman Shahrir Samad must reveal what, if anything, was promised to Synergy Promenade Sdn Bhd to secure its agreement to return the agency’s land at Jalan Semarak, Kuala Lumpur, says Persatuan Anak Peneroka Felda Kebangsaan (Anak).

Anak president Mazlan Aliman, in a joint statement today with Amanah Youth deputy chief Faiz Fadzil, said it was illogical for the company to surrender the land without getting anything beneficial in return.

“For what reason was the company prepared to take a loss of RM270 million?” they asked.

The land, comprising 16 titles and estimated to be worth RM270 million, was transferred by Synergy Promenade to its ownership after Felda unit, Felda Investment Corporation (FIC), awarded full power of attorney to the company to develop the property.

The deal was transacted in 2015 and 2016 when Isa Samad was chairman of both Felda and FIC.

His successor in Felda, Shahrir Samad, said the agency did not receive any payment for the land from Synergy Promenade.

However, Mazlan and Faiz asked who Synergy Promenade had paid for the land given Shahrir’s claim that Felda had not received any payment.

“Individuals or the Felda management should be prosecuted as the land deal appears to be fraudulent,” they said.

They also questioned Shahrir’s statement clearing Prime Minister Najib Razak of any involvement in the land transfer.

“The prime minister is the minister responsible for Felda and the disposal of any assets belonging to Felda needs his approval.

“Sections 3(3)(C) and 3(3)(Ca) of the Land Development Act 1956 require Felda to obtain the approval of the minister responsible to enter into any agreement with a developer,” they said. -FMT