SERDANG: Koperasi Permodalan Felda Malaysia Berhad (KPF) should to be efficiently managed to enable it to focus on the welfare of settlers, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said co-operatives are important organisations but some often fail to serve their purpose due to unskilled management staff.
"Its initial fund of RM2.5bil should be managed efficiently and monitored by the Board," he said in his speech at the Felda Settlers' Day celebration at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) here on Sunday (July 14).
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Felda chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
Anwar said the practices of efficient and good governance are emphasised by the current government, including in the procurement of tenders to avoid malpractice or abuse of power.
"In the past, tenders were for in-laws, wives and cronies.
"Now, all government tenders – and I believe in Felda, FGV and cooperatives too – let it be transparent so that there is no attempt to misappropriate the people's and settlers' money.
"Who said the country has no money? There is... but losing too much on paying debt...and then on contracts – if it is RM1bil, RM100mil is lost.
"That's why I'm asking the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) to go all out.
"Sometimes the government bodies that are supposed to look after bumiputras continue with its corrupt practices," he said
Anwar praised the relevant quarters for organising the 2024 Felda Settlers' Day as it recaps the background and history of the establishment of Felda, which was initiated by the second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein to the young generation of Felda. – Bernama
