Anwar says he refused to approve Felda hotel sale below purchase price

MELAKA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has ordered the management of the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) to prepare a full report on a proposed sale of one of the agency's hotels, said to be priced far below its original purchase value.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, revealed that he had refused to sign the approval document after finding that the hotel was to be sold for £100 million, while it had been bought by the previous management for £160 million.

He expressed regret over the loss-making proposal, noting that Felda settlers were still facing various hardships and needed government assistance to improve basic facilities.

"Felda is under my care. Two months ago, the Felda management came and asked me to sign for the sale of this hotel. I said, hold on, what kind of business is this? Selling at a price lower than when it was bought. So I did not sign. I said, find out who did that, prepare a report.

"Felda people, the settlers, are struggling. When I visit, they (the settlers) ask for air-conditioning, for schools to be repaired, they say their income is not enough. But here at Felda, (a loss-making sale) just disappears so easily," he said while speaking at the Semarak Kenegaraan programme with the Malaysian Armed Forces at Kem Terendak in Melaka today.

Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Army Chief General Tan Sri Azhan Md Othman.

Anwar said requiring Felda to submit a full report was aimed at defending Felda as an important institution in Malaysia.

"If not (if we just let it be), how long will this go on — agencies, including Malay agencies that we are proud of and want to defend, what will become of them? So we must correct that," he said.

(Quotes translated from Bahasa Melayu.)

– Bernama