Felda regains Jalan Semarak land

KUALA LUMPUR: In about a month after the news broke, the Federal Land Development Autho­rity (Felda) successfully recovered ownership of 16 strategic plots of land worth an estimated RM200mil along Jalan Semarak here from a local company.

A jovial Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad, the Felda chairman, showed the media copies of the land grants and the memorandum of transfer, which were returned to the agency earlier at 1pm yesterday.

“You can look at all the documents closely. We have successfully recovered the land, ownership of which was transferred without our knowledge and consent.

“The land has been recovered along with the documents needed to complete the ownership transfer,” he told a press conference at Menara Felda.

Last week, police recorded a statement from Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad, who was Felda chairman from January 2011 to January 2017, over the matter.

It was reported on Dec 21 that Felda was at risk of losing ownership of the land worth about RM200mil in Jalan Semarak following an allegedly dubious deal in 2015.

The land transfer was believed to have occurred after Felda Invest­ment Corporation (FIC) appointed a local company as the primary developer on June 3, 2014, and it was given full power of attorney to develop the land.

The project is being developed by Synergy Promenade Sdn Bhd (SPSB).

Shahrir said the developer of the project voluntarily agreed to return the ownership of all 16 lots to Felda without any cost.

“Of the 16 grants, one more is still with the Federal Territories’ Depart­ment of Lands and Mines,” he said.

However, Shahrir said Felda has no intention of retracting the police report lodged on Dec 12 and Dec 28.

The case is being investigated under Sections 420 and 471 of the Penal Code for cheating and forgery.

“The police investigation will continue and we will cooperate with them.

“The ongoing forensic audit will also be continued to identify any possible mismanagement in the transaction,” said Shahrir.

Felda, he said, will continue to work with SPSB on the Kuala Lumpur Vertical City (KLVC), which is still ongoing on those plots.

He added that Felda and SPSB will renegotiate on the implementation of development agreement on how to improve the project for the benefit of all stakeholders.

“Felda will continue to ensure that all the processes and procedures to return the ownership as well as other matters pertaining to the KLVC project will adhere to regulatory and integrity standards.

“The project was in danger of being discontinued, not through our own doing but because the land was transferred by them to themselves.

“We do not have any problem with the project; we only questioned the need to transfer the ownership of those lands,” he explained.

He also noted that in Felda’s negotiation with SPSB, it wants to limit the power of attorney (PA) given to SPSB as its representative on the project, and at the same time if it involves the sale of associated land, a written authorisation from Felda is required.

“There will be adjustments to the PA so it will not be irrevocable,” he added.

Asked on the next move, Shahrir said he cannot pre-empt the police investigation and the forensic audit probe.

“I am not Superman. It is not fair to comment. Most important is that the audit and investigation are carried out. We will be guided by it and it won’t be long,” he said.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said recently that investigation papers on the case were expected to be submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers by the end of this week.