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TENSIONS flared in the Dewan Rakyat today when an opposition MP referred to a government official as a “cartel minister” during a debate on the Auditor-General’s Report, prompting calls for clarification and the withdrawal of the term.
Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim (PN–Arau) made the remark while discussing alleged internal cartels controlling the sale of palm kernel shells to Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) mills.
He emphasised that his concern was not with external intermediaries, but with officials who were allegedly unfairly benefiting from the system, calling for audits to dismantle such practices.
“I want to address cartels, as there is a ‘cartel minister’ present here.
“The cartel involves not only intermediaries but also internal parties, for example in the sale of palm kernel shells to Felda mills. Insiders also benefit. For this reason, we are requesting an audit to examine this matter, and such cartels must be dismantled wherever they cause losses,” Shahidan said.
The comment immediately drew the attention of RSN Rayer (PH–Jelutong), who asked the deputy speaker to clarify whom Shahidan was referring to and urged him to retract the statement.
“Did Arau say there is a ‘cartel minister’ present just now? We heard it. I want to ask the deputy speaker: who exactly is Arau referring to? I understand this is true, and Arau confirmed he made that statement,” Rayer said.
Shahidan clarified that the audit was examining Felda mills, and that by “cartel” he meant the control over palm kernel shell sales.
“The market is high, and demand for these shells comes from Japan. They offer a high price, but the mills cannot get that price because it has already been controlled by the cartel,” he said.
Despite this explanation, Rayer insisted the term was inappropriate and requested that Shahidan withdraw it. Deputy Speaker Alice Lau Kiong Yieng intervened, asking Shahidan to clarify whether he was referring to a minister or a deputy minister.
Shahidan responded: “Oh yes, sorry. Not the minister who answered about the cartel earlier; I meant the deputy minister.”
Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh also called on Shahidan to retract the remark, a request he complied with, though he later insisted he had been referring to “cartel managers.”
The deputy speaker asked him to correct the wording, prompting Shahidan to add: “I withdraw the word ‘cartel,’ but my intention was to clarify the concept of a cartel. He is the minister responsible for managing cartel matters.”
The exchange continued with heated interjections, including Shahidan accusing Rayer of wasting time and seeking cheap publicity. Alice Lau temporarily turned off his microphone before instructing him to conclude his debate.
“I made a mistake earlier, I apologise, but my intention was sincere, as I asked a question this morning regarding the cartel. The person (Rayer) was not present, so they do not know the details, which relate to my earlier question,” Shahidan said.
Rayer responded that he had been present since the morning and defended his position.
Earlier in the session, Shahidan had posed questions to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry on whether the government’s campaign against middleman cartels, aimed at curbing rising goods prices, was still ongoing.
The incident underscores the sensitivity surrounding allegations of internal corruption and cartels within government-linked operations, particularly those involving Felda mills and the lucrative trade in palm kernel shells. - February 24, 2026