KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has demanded an apology from Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin over the latter's claim on the settlement of Felda's debts.
Anwar, also the finance minister, said he had signed a debt waiver scheme for Felda settlers, with accompanying proof.
"I hereby attached part of the Assignment for Financial Service Reserve Account (FSRA) agreement in regards to the government guarantee for the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) that I have signed.
"Hence, I demand that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin apologises for the slander thrown against me," said the prime minister in a statement today.
Muhyiddin had earlier demanded an open and unconditional written apology from Anwar following the latter's claim that the Felda settlers' debts totalling RM8.3 billion had never been waived during PN's administration.
The letter of demand dated July 18 was issued through solicitors Messrs Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership.
Muhyiddin gave Anwar 24 hours upon receiving the letter to furnish signed documentation that he had at the end of June as the finance minister signed a debt waiver scheme for Felda settlers worth RM8.3 billion.
On Wednesday night, Anwar said he would get Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican to provide him with the proof needed before leaving for his official visit to Vietnam today.
The Finance Ministry, in a statement today, confirmed that Anwar had signed the agreement on June 26.
"As per the announcement in a media statement issued by the ministry on June 28, the agreement involves a government guarantee totalling RM9.9 billion for Felda via the issuance of sukuk and revolving credit for it to recover financially," said the ministry.
Under the agreement, the government will provide RM990 million annually for the redemption of Felda sukuk for 10 years, it said.
The ministry also confirmed that the first RM990 million had been channelled on July 18 as per allocation under the 2023 Madani Budget.
"The conclusion of the agreement is a vital element implemented by the unity government to ensure Felda's survival, by among others, taking into consideration the impact on its cash flow and financial position following the disposal of Felda settlers' debts."