AYER KEROH: Putrajaya plans to investigate issues involving the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) after completing its investigation involving Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar said the move came after His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, told him that investigations into institutions owned by the people should not end with TH.
“The King told me last week, do not let it end with TH, (but) continue.
“His Majesty also asked who is in charge of Felda now. I answered, me, (so) once TH is done, uncover what happened at Felda,” he said in his policy speech at the 2026 PKR National Congress on Saturday (Aug 15).
Previously, Anwar said excessive political interference had turned Felda from a profitable billion-ringgit plantation giant into an agency saddled with almost RM10bil in debt.
Anwar also said the government pays about RM980mil annually just to service Felda’s debts.
Meanwhile, the PKR president said the government would not compromise with anyone found to have breached regulations or misappropriated public assets.
He said the responsibility of settling the financial commitments now had to be shouldered by his administration to ensure the sustainability and welfare of the settlers were not affected.
“Believe me, the directive is clear. Whoever acts against the rules, steals public assets or siphons off funds, the directive is to take action as swiftly as possible.
“Do not pass judgement before we have certainty. We also have a problem of immediately pointing fingers, which we should not do.
“So let the enforcement agencies investigate and act professionally,” he said.
Anwar also reminded the authorities not to be too lenient, but to take firmer action regardless of the status or identity of those being investigated.
“Do not delay, do not compromise, and do not consider which party they belong to, what position they hold or what race they are.
“There are some who claim to be among the elite and intelligent, saying that the Prime Minister is now desperate and appears to be taking action out of revenge.
“So, according to them, if action is taken, it is revenge. If no action is taken, it is a compromise and sluggishness.
“Say whatever you want, but I want to state that a process of firmer action starts now,” he said.
Felda, established in 1956 to eradicate rural poverty through land development and oil palm and rubber cultivation, remains one of Malaysia’s largest statutory agencies, with more than 100,000 settler families nationwide.
It has undergone several restructuring exercises in recent years as the government works to restore its financial position and improve the welfare of settlers.
