MACC: No wrongdoing in Felda’s London hotel buy

(Malay Mail Online) – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has cleared the top management of the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) of any wrongdoing over the purchase of a multi-million ringgit boutique hotel in London.

In a written reply to Seremban MP Anthony Loke, minister in charge of transparency and integrity minister Datuk Paul Low said that preliminary investigations found no element of wrongdoing in the deal by Felda’s corporate entity Felda Investment Corporation (FIC).

“Early investigations by the MACC so far have found no basis of offences under the 2009 MACC Act by any parties relating to the issues raised,” the reply stated.

Loke had asked the Prime Minister’s department to explain the status of MACC’s investigations on claims that Felda’s management had paid RM538 million for the purchase of the Grand Plaza Serviced Apartments and RM330 million for the purchase of the Grand Plaza Kensington Hotel in London.

The DAP MP had also asked whether the son of Felda group chairman, Tan Sri Isa Samad, was being investigated as well.

Low’s reply, however, did not address this.

FIC, the investment arm of Felda, acquired the four-star Park City Hotel for £60 million (RM330 million).

It was renamed Grand Plaza Hotel on December 15 last year.

FIC is chaired by Isa.

The directors are Datuk Nik Azman, Kota Tinggi MP Datuk Noor Ehsanuddin Mohd Harun Narrashid, Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, Datuk Omar Salim and its chief executive officer Zaid Abdul Jalil.

Incorporated on July 2, 2013, FIC has also invested in other properties and recently opened the first Malaysian restaurant in Jeddah.