Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed on August 21 that a special task force investigating the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) has begun its work [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. He said the task force will examine all aspects of Felda’s management, including past problems, current management, and plans for the future. “The special task force has started and I am waiting for the investigation to be completed, then we will announce it shortly,” Anwar said [1].
The investigation aims to identify management shortcomings and improve Felda's operations. Anwar stressed that the findings will be presented in the near future, possibly within a few months [1, 3, 4, 5]. He urged the public to treat the task force’s eventual report with the same seriousness as the Royal Commission of Inquiry report on Lembaga Tabung Haji [1, 3, 5].
Separately, the government is also probing alleged governance failures linked to Felda and the Pilgrims Fund Board (Tabung Haji). Anwar emphasized on August 20 that these investigations are not politically motivated or acts of retaliation. He said law enforcement agencies and the Attorney General’s Chambers conduct all prosecutions independently without interference from the Prime Minister [7].
Anwar underlined the importance of transparency and seriousness in the probes. He stated in Mandarin that he did not want innocent people prosecuted, but if wrongdoing is found with losses caused, the investigation must proceed [7]. He added in another statement that investigations should act on any misconduct regardless of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation. “If problems arise, we will take action. Let the investigation determine who is at fault,” he said [6].
The special task force has started gathering evidence and conducting the inquiry into Felda’s management issues across historical and current fronts. Prime Minister Anwar plans to await the comprehensive report before making any official statements or policy decisions related to Felda’s future.
The government has not set a precise deadline for the report but expects results within the next few months [1, 3, 4, 5]. This report will likely shape upcoming management reforms at Felda and related agencies.
