Anwar's document does not prove debt waiver - Marzuki

SHAH ALAM - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recently revealed document allegedly fails to substantiate the agreement on the RM8.3 billion settler debt of the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda).

According to former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s secretary, Datuk Marzuki Mohamad, the documents are, in fact, related to the government-guaranteed loans that were released in stages.

He clarified, "The document presented in the prime minister's media statement does not prove that the debt settlement occurred solely in June 2023.

"It pertains to the issuance of government-guaranteed loans, which was already a part of the Cabinet's decision in 2020.

"This document must be signed by any individual who assumes the position of finance minister.

"As far as I can recall, Muhyiddin was never the finance minister."

Marzuki further stressed that the document signed by the prime minister, who also served as the finance minister, was not an agreement to save Felda settlers' debt.

Instead, it was an agreement related to government-guaranteed loans.

Anwar had previously disclosed documents concerning the dismissal of Felda settler debt, including the Financial Service Reserve Account (FSRA) agreement signed between Felda, the government, and Amanah Raya Berhad, as well as digital documents detailing the government's payment instructions amounting to RM990 million.

Marzuki highlighted that during Muhyiddin's administration, the government had approved the Felda Recovery Plan, which involved disposing of 80 per cent of the settler debt, totaling RM8.3 billion.

The plan also included a loan of RM9.9 billion in stages, aimed at facilitating the takeover of FGV Holdings Bhd (FGV) and resolving Felda's debt with Maybank and the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF).

The plan entailed preparing yearly grants of RM99 million to Felda from the federal government.

To alleviate doubts about the Cabinet's decision on Oct 14, 2020, which resolved the Felda settler debt issue, Marzuki suggested that the government should declassify the meeting minutes, making them accessible to the public for scrutiny.