MACC has reopened seven Felda cases following new information, including investigations into property deals, investments and the Kuala Lumpur Vertical City project.
PUTRAJAYA: Seven cases involving the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) that had previously been investigated or highlighted in forensic reports have been reopened by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) following the emergence of new information.
MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman said the latest information had provided sufficient grounds for the commission to revisit the cases.
“Six of the cases I announced involve new investigations, while the case involving Grand Park City is a continuation of an earlier probe,” he said.
The seven cases are:
- Dataran Aras Sdn Bhd (DASB) – Felda acquired the company in 2011 for RM148.2 million for an oil palm plantation project in Limbang, Sarawak. However, the project encountered major problems as the land could not be utilised.
- Grand Borneo Hotel Sdn Bhd – The acquisition of the Kota Kinabalu hotel for RM86.4 million was previously investigated by the MACC in 2017 over possible irregularities in the purchase process and alleged overpayment, similar to investigations involving hotel acquisitions in London and Kuching.
- Merdeka Palace Hotel and Suites – The Kuching hotel was among several property transactions by Felda Investment Corporation (FIC) investigated by the MACC. The probe eventually resulted in former Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad being charged with nine corruption offences involving RM3.09 million in connection with the RM160 million hotel acquisition.
- Park City Grand Plaza Kensington – The London hotel property was reopened for investigation by the MACC in 2017 after new information emerged. An earlier investigation in 2015 had found no offences under the MACC Act.
- Felda Wellness Corporation Sdn Bhd – The company’s establishment and management were flagged in Felda’s forensic review over alleged governance weaknesses and questionable transactions.
- Felda House and Grand Felda House – The acquisition of the two student accommodation properties in Wembley, London, was among the FIC investments highlighted in the Felda White Paper.
- Kuala Lumpur Vertical City (KLVC) – The development on Felda-owned land along Jalan Semarak, Kuala Lumpur, raised concerns over the transfer of land ownership and project governance. However, an MACC investigation in 2018 found no evidence of corruption or abuse of power in the land transfer agreement.
The reopening of the cases follows the MACC’s review of previous investigations and new information relating to Felda’s investments and transactions.
