KUALA LUMPUR – A forensic audit should be carried out to determine whether there were any instances of abuse of power, breach of trust or governance violations in the management of the Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felda).
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said a management audit alone would not be sufficient, as issues involving the agency had persisted for a long time and resulted in losses amounting to billions of ringgit, Bernama reported.
“Felda is facing very big and longstanding problems. The loss or losses of RM9 billion cannot be tolerated,” he told reporters after officiating the Minister and Chief Executive Officer Summit held in conjunction with the World Islamic Tourism and Trade Expo (WITEX) 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL) here today.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, was responding to questions on whether he supported the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate FELDA.
He said those responsible should be brought to justice if there was strong evidence against them, but stressed that any investigation must not be used to persecute or shame any individual.
He added that the government would continue to protect the interests and welfare of 225,000 FELDA settlers, including first to fifth-generation settlers, who collectively represent about 1.8 million people.
Last Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he would await the full report from the special task force investigating FELDA’s management issues before making any official announcement.
Anwar said the special task force had begun its work and that its findings were expected to be presented soon before being made public, similar to the release of the Royal Commission of Inquiry report on Tabung Haji. – August 23, 2026