Anwar and Muhyiddin urged to end fight over Felda debts

PETALING JAYA: The National Felda Settlers Association (Anak) has called for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to end their dispute over the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) issue for the sake of the settlers and the body.

However, shortly after, Anwar’s counsel Datuk SN Nair said the Prime Minister is demanding that Muhyiddin apologise within 24 hours regarding the disposal of Felda settlers’ debts amounting to RM8.3bil as well as the payment of damages or compensation of RM200mil for the “severe injury to his reputation as Prime Minister”.

Anak adviser Datuk Mazlan Aliman said the fight between the two leaders doesn’t bring any benefit to anyone.

“As a Felda-based non-governmental organisation that was involved in early discussions, Muhyiddin’s efforts during the time could not be dismissed,” the Malay daily Sinar Harian quoted him as saying in a statement.

“The announcement by Anwar as Finance Minister on June 27 was followed with a special incentive on Settlers’ Day on July 7, which was a relief and one which was most anticipated even though it was only seven months since the unity government was formed.

“It will be more meaningful if the government and the Opposition set aside their differences and do not point fingers but rather work together to bring Felda back to its original track, in line with the objective since its inception,” said Mazlan.

Meanwhile, Nair said the apology is to be published in the newspapers and media of his client’s choice and to delete all offensive and slanderous comments, besides demanding that Muhyiddin withdraw his letter of demand.

“We have been instructed by our client (Anwar) to state that if our client does not receive any satisfactory response within 24 hours from the date of this letter, our instruction is to initiate legal action against Muhyiddin,” said the lawyer in a letter sent to the counsel representing Muhyiddin.

Nair, when contacted by Bernama, said the letter was sent at 4.45pm.

On Wednesday, Muhyiddin, who is Perikatan Nasional chairman, said he would take legal action against Anwar if he did not make an unconditional apology within 24 hours in a letter of demand through his lawyer.

Prior to that, Anwar had told a press conference that the disposal of the Felda settlers’ debts was complete and presented documents to prove he was speaking the truth.

Muhyiddin said he was going ahead with legal action for slander against the Prime Minister as the latter had failed to show proof that he had written off Felda settlers’ debts.