MUAR - Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, the PN information chief has challenged former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak over issues surrounding Felda.
He said the debate should be held on March 12, a day before Johor goes into polls. He said the debate could also be held in various ways, including online due to the pandemic.
"The issue is that Felda was destroyed under his administration. We have facts over the purchase of properties in Kensington , Sarawak, among others," he said, adding that the case is still being probed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the police.
He further told reporters that a White Paper has proven that Felda settlers have been betrayed. Due to that, he claimed Najib should not be "bragging that Umno saved Felda."
Azmin who is the International Trade and Industry Senior Minister also claimed Najib's administration had destroyed Felda's future.
"I spoke (earlier) on Felda's land lease to FGV Holdings. Prior to that (leasing) Felda's income was high enough to cover operations and settlers' welfare," he said.
"But in the end, FGV's shares plummeted from RM4.55 to 64 sen, Felda's debt exceeded RM10 billion, they had to take sukuk and this was incurred by the government.
"This must be told to Felda settlers to give space and opportunity for Perikatan Nasional to defend their fate and the future of Felda," Azmin added.