PUTRAJAYA : The Prime Minister's Department has appointed an external audit firm to conduct forensic audit on Kuala Lumpur Vertical City (KLVC) project developed by Synergy Promenade Sdn Bhd (SPSB) on the Jalan Semarak Felda land.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the firm would implement forensic audit on all activities, decisions and actions related to the project.
"The firm will also re-evaluate the related regulatory process, including the weaknesses in the internal administration and Felda's observation on Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd (FIC).
"The investigation will also involve Kuala Lumpur Land and Mine Office and City Hall." Najib said in a statement, today.
It was reported that Felda was at the risk of losing ownership of the piece of land worth over RM200 million following what had been described as a ‘dubious deal’ in 2015.
The plot of land, which has been earmarked for the KLVC development project, will feature seven towers, including Felda’s iconic tower, to be known as KLVC Tower 1A.
The ownership transfer of the land took place when FIC appointed a local company as its main developer on June 3, 2014.
The prime minister said the investigation is expected to be completed in 30 days and the full report will be presented by the Prime Minister's Department.
Najib said the appointment of the audit firm followed his directive to Felda in a letter dated Dec 11, to determine if there is any non-compliance with existing procedures or elements of abuse of power and corruption in the KLVC project.
"In the letter sent by the department to Felda chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad, I had also directed Felda to lodge a police report against SPSB for criminal fraud and take legal action for civil fraud involving the transfer of land ownership without knowledge, "he said.
Najib said the directive was to protect the interest of Felda and its settlers and to ensure that the land continues to belong to Felda.
Najib said the police had also conducted investigations and the land had since been caveated.
"Therefore, the reports that claimed that the land is gone is inaccurate. The Registrar's Caveat which has been imposed on the land is to ensure that Felda's interests will be protected, "he said.
Najib said legal action would also be taken if investigations by the external audit firm and police showed any misconduct by those involved in the project which was agreed in 2014.