In its early investigation report, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has cleared the Felda management of alleged embezzlement over Felda Investment Corp’s (FIC) payment of RM538 million for a luxurious hotel in London.

“MACC’s early investigation has not found any basis for offences by any party under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, in relation to any issue raised,” said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Paul Low in a parliamentary written reply yesterday.

He urged any party who had acquired any additional information or had proof to substantiate this case to submit it to the commission for further action.

Low ( photo ) was asked by Anthony Loke (DAP-Seremban) on the status of the investigation into the purchase of the RM538 million luxurious Grand Plaza Kensington Hotel in London, which allegedly involved Felda management.

Loke also demand to know if Felda group chairperson Mohd Isa Abdul Samad’s son was involved in the case.

However, Low did not mention about Isa’s son in the parliamentary reply.

On March 7, Malaysiakini reported that the son had been summoned by the graft-buster to record a statement.

Until March, MACC had quizzed 23 people over the purchase of another hotel, worth RM40 million in Port Dickson, including a chief executive officer (CEO) of a Felda subsidiary and a businessman.

The investigation is being conducted under Section 16 (a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009, which criminalises the asking and receiving of corrupt gratifications.

The CEO was arrested on March 1 and was remanded until March 10, while the businessman was arrested on Feb 26 and released on March 7.

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