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Poor governance, breach of trust to blame over Felda land controversy, says MACC

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) believes that the case involving ownership transfer of Felda’s land worth over RM200 million was due to weakness in governance and breach of trust.

Its deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki said the commission had analysed information in connection with the case after several reports were lodged last month.

Azam said the graft busters believed there was no bribery or abuse of power in the case.

“It (the investigation) leads to weakness in governance and breach of trust. Hence, the case has been referred to the police for further action.

“We were also notified that Felda had reported the matter to the police and it was still under investigation,” he said.

Azam said if police discovered there were elements of corruption or abuse of power, the MACC welcomed them to share information to allow further action.

“The police can also investigate as they have the authority to investigate cases involving corruption,” he said.

It was reported that Felda was at grave risk of losing ownership of the strategic piece of land following what had been described as a ‘dubious deal’ in 2015.

The plot of land, which has been earmarked for the Kuala Lumpur Vertical City (KLVC) development project, will feature seven towers, including Felda’s iconic tower, to be known as KLVC Tower1A.

Its search on Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) web portal showed that KLVC Tower 1A has been approved for construction, alongside a 68-floor office building.

The office complex will feature 59 floors of office space, a two-floor office podium including parking lots, a six-floor car park, a two-storey underground car park, a rooftop garden, as well as a helipad.

Sources said that ownership transfer of the land took place when Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd (FIC) appointed a local company as its main developer on June 3, 2014, and it was granted full power of attorney to develop the land.

Translated from Berita Harian

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