Tell us the names of your housing contractors, Rafizi urges Felda

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 3): Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) was asked to disclose the contractors whom it has tasked to undertake housing projects for the statutory body’s members.

At a press conference today, PKR lawmaker Rafizi Ramli demanded Felda chairman Tan Sri Isa Samad to make the said disclosure, after highlighting that these projects incurred losses amounting to RM192.82 million during the financial year ended Dec 31, 2014 (FY2014).

Felda has not presented its FY2015 annual report to Parliament so far.

On Dec 2, 2015, Rafizi requested a detailed disclosure of all contractors involved in Felda’s member housing projects, and deputy minister in Prime Minister Department Datuk Razali Ibrahim merely disclosed information regarding projects that have been completed.

“For projects like the PGBF (Perumahan Generasi Baharu Felda), which have not been completed, he (Razali) did not provide the contractors’ name,” Rafizi said.

According to Felda’s FY2014 financial statement, expected losses for Felda member housing projects skyrocketed to RM192.82 million, from just RM28.46 million in FY2013.

“These housing projects’ expenses have been booked as expected losses, meaning that these RM193 million which could be used to build around 4,800 low cost houses for Felda members, have been burned just like that,” Rafizi said.

“We have also contacted nationwide Felda activists to show us how many Felda housing projects have been abandoned, with nothing more than just a signage left behind,” he added. — theedgemarkets.com