Felda Palong 7 settlers urge MACC to probe RM80 million oil palm replanting project

PUTRAJAYA – A group representing the next generation of Felda Palong 7 settlers is urging the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate the implementation of an oil palm development and replanting programme estimated to be worth between RM70 million and RM80 million.

Its representative Mohd Syahrizal Md Yusuf submitted official information to the MACC concerning questions over the supply of oil palm seedlings, supply costs, transportation charges and the implementation of replanting work at the scheme.

He said the programme involved replacing rubber crops with oil palm and affected 450 settlers, with significant implications for their long-term source of income.

“This complaint was made to the Felda headquarters, Felda Regional Office and the scheme about five to six months ago.

“It involves work specifications, the selection of seedlings according to specifications, measurements and many other matters involving 450 settlers because the impact will be felt for the next 25 years,” he said when met at the MACC headquarters on Monday.

Syahrizal said the settlers were concerned that the same problems experienced during a crop development project about 17 years ago could recur and affect their income.

He said the previous rubber crop had allegedly failed, with among the issues raised being the supply of seedlings that were allegedly of poor quality and did not meet the stipulated specifications.

“The first crop was rubber and it failed. We do not want the same thing to happen again.

“For this second development, we have raised our concerns and spoken out to defend the rights of the settlers so that the future will be more secure and stable,” he said.

He said the MACC was being urged to inspect the condition of the oil palm seedlings, which were allegedly small and inconsistent in size following several deliveries.

He said some seedlings had also yet to develop leaves or reach a stage of growth that would allow proper inspection to be carried out.

“The question is whether the seedlings supplied truly meet all the requirements and specifications that have been set.

“We also want the duration and method of caring for the seedlings at the transit site before the planting process to be examined,” he said.

The complaint also raised questions about the quantity of seedlings delivered at any one time, as well as how they were handled, stored and maintained before being planted.

Syahrizal said inspections were also being sought into planting distances, which were allegedly inconsistent and too close in certain areas, as well as terrace construction work on hilly terrain that was allegedly inconsistent and should be examined for compliance with technical specifications.

“Besides that, we want the price of the seedlings supplied and the transportation charges imposed to be compared with the offers or costs received by settlers at other Felda schemes, including Felda Teloi Timur,” he said.

He said he MACC was also being asked to scrutinise the process of selecting and appointing suppliers, tender documents and prices, the purchase price of seedlings, transportation charges, the quantity of seedlings ordered and supplied, as well as invoices, purchase orders and payment claims.

“I have already handed over the basic documents to the MACC. Let the MACC conduct the investigation to determine what is true and what is not,” he added.

Syahrizal said they had also asked the MACC to investigate if there were elements of abuse of power, conflicts of interest, procedural non-compliance, price manipulation, inaccurate claims, misappropriation, corruption or any other form of misconduct related to the implementation of the programme.

Meanwhile, he fully supported the proposal to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into Felda, describing it as something that could help strengthen the agency’s governance and integrity in the future.

“I am confident that the establishment of the Felda RCI will stabilise and create better integrity within Felda in the future,” he said.