MACC officers arrive at Balai Felda to seize documents for FIC probe

KUALA LUMPUR: A team of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officers arrived at Balai Felda, Jalan Gurney this morning to seize documents pertaining to Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd's (FIC) purchase of a RM330 million four-star hotel in Kensington, London.

Seven MACC uniformed officers arrived at 10.20am and were escorted to the FIC office on the fourth floor by a team of Felda auxiliary policemen.

Today’s visit comes in the wake of the MACC’s decision to open an investigation into the hotel purchase, made between 2013 and 2015, following the receipt of fresh information.

MACC chief commissioner Datuk Dzulfikli Ahmad had earlier said that a detailed probe will be carried out to determine if there was corruption or abuse of power involved in the hotel's purchasing process.

Based on initial investigations, the MACC believes that the FIC overpaid for the hotel, causing millions of ringgit in losses for the plantations giant.

It was reported that the FIC had acquired the hotel in the upmarket Kensington area in London for £60 million (RM330 million), making it the 12th investment in the group's hospitality portfolio.

The FIC was established in 2013 by the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda), with a focus on the real estate, hospitality and oil and gas sectors.

The MACC is also expected to call up several witnesses, including those who had their statements recorded as part of the separate Felda Global Ventures (FGV) investigation last month, to help in the FIC investigation.