Anwar: Govt did not order delay or halt to Felda probe

Anwar: Govt did not order delay or halt to Felda probe



Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said a white paper on Felda had been tabled in 2019, but no follow-up action was taken until the current government took over the administration in 2022. — Bernama pic


Summary

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated no orders were given to delay or halt the Felda investigation.
• He emphasized that thorough investigation papers are required before prosecution, ensuring no cabinet obstruction.
• A white paper on Felda was tabled in 2019, but action began only under the current government in 2022.

First Published: Tuesday, 20 Oct 2026 12:46 PM MYT
Last Modified: Tuesday, 20 Oct 2026 1:11 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said no instructions had been issued to delay or halt investigations into alleged misappropriation involving the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda).

Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the process took time to ensure that the investigation papers were complete before prosecution could be initiated.


“The Felda case was indeed brought to the attention of the Cabinet, and no one has obstructed the investigation. The only request was for the investigation to be conducted transparently,” he said during the Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was answering a supplementary question from Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas), who wanted to know why prosecution in connection with the Felda issue was only being initiated now although the disputed transactions took place between 2010 and 2020.


Anwar said a white paper on Felda had been tabled in 2019, but no follow-up action was taken until the current government took over the administration in 2022.

The prime minister said the government subsequently established a special task force on Felda, which took about a year before the investigation process began.

“So there was no delay; it was simply a matter of timing,” he said.


Anwar said one of the factors that prolonged the process was that the investigation papers had been returned several times by the Attorney General’s Chambers for further work to address gaps in the investigations.


“In the Felda case, the investigation papers went back and forth with the Attorney General three to four times. The Attorney General said there were gaps, so the papers were returned, and the process took three to four months,” he said.

The prime minister said the government needed to ensure that investigations had a solid foundation before anyone was charged, adding that enforcement action should not be taken hastily at the expense of transparency in the legal process.

At the same time, Anwar said the prosecution was not based solely on the losses suffered by Felda, but also on evidence of misconduct, including abuse of power and irregularities in the management of transactions.

He said the government would continue to ensure that investigations proceeded without interference, while investigative processes and further action would be left to the relevant enforcement agencies. — Bernama