KUALA LUMPUR: The forensic audit on the Kuala Lumpur Vertical City (KLVC) project begins today and is expected to be completed ahead of schedule, under 30 days.
Felda chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Samad said this was due to the good cooperation Felda has extended to the external audit firm appointed to conduct the forensic investigation.
Felda, he said, has submitted various documents to the audit firm, which was appointed by the Prime Minister’s Department.
"The Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Razak) had previously said that it (the audit) would take 30 days. However, since all the documents are in place and have been submitted to the firm, the investigation is expected to be completed much earlier.
"Today, the firm began the auditing process at the Prime Minister’s Department, where we had submitted the necessary documents for review.
It is now up to them to examine the documents. If they wish to come here (Menara Felda) to obtain more documents or evidence, they are free to do so,” he said at Felda headquarters today.
Last Thursday, Najib said the Prime Minister's Department had appointed an external audit firm to conduct a forensic investigation on the project involving Felda land at Jalan Semarak, which was being developed by Synergy Promenade Sdn Bhd.
He said the firm will conduct forensic audits on all project activities, decisions and actions and revise the relevant regulatory process, including internal administrative weaknesses and oversights by Felda or their investment arm, Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd (FIC).
It was reported that the audit firm's investigation also involves the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Land and Mines Office and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
Berita Harian, in an exclusive report, broke the story that Felda was at risk of losing ownership of the piece of land worth more than 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 Sdn Bhd appointed SPSB as its main developer on June 3, 2014, and it was granted full power of attorney to develop the land.
Meanwhile, asked whether the audit firm would go to Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory's Land and Mines Office, City Hall as well as the Synergy Promenade offices, Shahrir said the investigation scope requires them to visit these places.
Shahrir also declined to name the external audit firm as “the firm is concerned that their investigations could be interrupted by parties with interests in the case". *Additional reporting by Julia Fiona