Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Felda was once the world's largest plantation company, delivering good returns to settler families developing the land scheme.PETALING JAYA: Felda is facing losses of nearly RM10 billion because of mismanagement and excessive political interference, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.Anwar said reports he received after returning to lead the government showed Felda was saddled with the debt, forcing the government to shoulder a heavy financial burden each year, Berita Harian reported.“Eight years ago, there was a change in decisions. (There was) excessive political interference. In the end, the RM10 billion in profits has now turned into losses.“I am now taking over and looking after Felda.
I received reports that Felda owes nearly RM10 billion. This is not politics, this is a fact,” he was quoted as saying during the Semarak Kenegaraan programme at Kem Syed Sirajuddin in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan, today.Anwar said that under past leaders such as Raja Alias Raja Muhammad Ali and the late Taib Andak, Felda was managed efficiently, becoming the world's largest plantation company and delivering good returns to settler families developing the land scheme.He said the agency's decline was not because of settlers failing to work hard, but because of those entrusted with managing it betraying that trust.“Did the settlers not work hard? The problem was that those entrusted with responsibility betrayed that trust.
This is the reality today," he said.Anwar also said the younger generation who would inherit the country had a responsibility to safeguard peace and prevent elements that stop society from progressing.He said the country would remain peaceful and secure if the position of Malay leadership, the Malay royal institutions, and leadership in key national institutions continued to be upheld based on integrity and trust.
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