PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has singled out Felda’s troubled investment in Indonesian plantation company PT Eagle High Plantation Tbk as a major concern, warning that an investment of about RM2.5 billion could ultimately yield only around RM200 million.
Anwar said he had written directly to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto seeking his attention on the problems surrounding the investment, which he said was now tied up in Indonesia’s Supreme Court.
“The issue of the hotel, whether in London or Kuching, is small. The biggest issue includes the investment in Indonesia, Eagle High, which is now stuck in the Indonesian Supreme Court.
“I have also written to President Prabowo Subianto asking him to look into these problems,” he said at a meet-and-greet session with Felda’s senior management in Bangi today.
He stressed that the problems confronting Felda were not the fault of its managers or settlers but were rooted in management and decisions made at the highest levels.
“If this is not addressed, the RM2.5 billion investment that could potentially be recovered will become only about RM200 million,” he said.
“This is one example. I want managers to understand the problem and how serious the consequences are when we manage things wrongly,” he said.
Felda has reportedly yet to derive direct benefits from the disposal of its shares in PT Eagle High Plantation Tbk because of outstanding loan obligations involving a company under the Finance Ministry.
The Eagle High investment is now emerging as one of the key issues under scrutiny as the Government reviews Felda’s past management and investment decisions.
The scrutiny follows calls by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, for comprehensive investigations into issues involving Felda and firm action against those found responsible.
Separately, Anwar has ordered Felda to accelerate repairs and the construction of new homes for its staff this year, using RM450 million already approved by the Government.
He said the Government should not wait for Budget 2027 to address basic housing problems, including leaking roofs and damaged toilets.
“At least the basic things, I am not asking for a five-star hotel, I am asking that the house does not have a leaking roof and that the toilet is not damaged.
“It is their own house, the house they are living in now. I think that is reasonable, even though the initial allocation mentioned was RM450 million to be implemented in phases,” he said.
Anwar directed Felda director-general Datuk Dr Suzana Idayu Wati Osman to ensure the programme was implemented swiftly and effectively.
“The Government cannot wait until Budget 2027 because that process could cause the project to be delayed until next year.
“If we wait until October or November for approval, then December, January and February to start the work, it will be late and will not be completed. So, we start now,” he said.
The RM450 million allocation was previously announced to finance repairs and new housing for FELDA staff nationwide, aimed at improving living conditions and safeguarding their welfare while strengthening services to settlers.
Meanwhile, Anwar said the findings of a special task force investigating Felda would be made public shortly after the probe was completed.
“The Special Task Force has started and I am waiting for the investigation to be completed. Then we will announce it within a short period,” he told reporters after the session.
He said the investigation was focused not only on identifying past problems but also on improving Felda’s current management and preventing similar issues from recurring.
“The task of improving management certainly involves identifying past problems, but what is important is current management and the steps going forward,” he said.
Anwar added that he had briefed Sultan Ibrahim on the progress of the investigation and the special task force’s report, which is currently being reviewed by the Government.
The Felda probe is being pursued alongside investigations stemming from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Tabung Haji, amid the King’s call for comprehensive scrutiny and firm action against anyone found responsible for wrongdoing. - August 21, 2026
