SHAH ALAM (Sept 20): The initial report regarding the management and loss issues of the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) is expected to be announced next week, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said that the report is not aimed at seeking revenge, but rather forms part of the government's efforts to address the problems that occurred within the agency in accordance with legal processes.

In fact, Anwar stated that he has no power to determine whether any individual is investigated, charged or punished, as such matters must be independently decided by the relevant institutions.

"Next week, the initial report on Felda begins. They say this is revenge — what revenge? What abuse of power? Can I speak to the prosecutor, give views to the judge?

“No. Ask the chief justice. The chief justice has full independence and authority to decide," he said while speaking at the Reformis Pioneers Reunion Hi-Tea event at the Selangor International Trade Centre (SITC) here Sunday.

Meanwhile, Anwar said the government must take action regarding Felda's issues because the government has to provide RM980 million every year to cover the agency's losses.

He noted that the government is also paying attention to the welfare of Felda's management after finding that the houses of the agency's managers nationwide have not been well-maintained for decades, having approved RM450 million for repair works on Felda managers' houses across the country.

"Recently, I met with Felda managers; their houses were in a terrible state, having gone unrepaired for decades. Therefore, I had to approve RM450 million to repair all Felda managers' houses nationwide," he said.

Previously, the special committee on Felda was reported to be submitting an interim report on proposed improvements for the statutory body to the prime minister by the end of this month.

The Prime Minister's Department previously stated that the committee — comprising several key government policy advisers — was established in June of last year to review the Felda Strategic Plan 2025-2030.

The committee has also held several meetings with relevant parties, including Felda management, to examine issues involving the delisting of FGV Holdings Bhd as well as governance weaknesses in procurement and investments involving eight assets raised in the Felda White Paper presented in Dewan Rakyat in April 2019.

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