Anwar Orders Full Report From Felda Over Proposed UK Hotel Sale at £60 Million Loss

MELAKA, Aug 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has directed the management of the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) to submit a complete report regarding a proposed hotel sale in the United Kingdom that would have seen the asset sold at a price far lower than its original purchase price.

Speaking at the “Semarak Kenegaraan Programme” with the Malaysian Armed Forces at Terendak Camp today, Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, revealed that he blocked the transaction after discovering the hotel was slated to be sold for 100 million British pounds, despite being acquired by previous management for 160 million British pounds.

The Prime Minister expressed regret over the loss-making proposal, emphasizing that such casual financial losses are unacceptable while Felda settlers continue to face economic hardships and require government assistance to improve basic facilities.

“Felda is under my watch. Two months ago, the Felda management came and asked me to sign for the sale of this hotel. I said, wait a moment, what kind of business is this? Selling at a price lower than when it was bought. So I did not sign. I said, find out who did this and submit a report,” Anwar stated.

“Felda settlers are struggling. When I visited (the settlers), they said they wanted air conditioning, schools to be repaired, and their income is insufficient. But Felda itself is just casually losing money,” he added.

Present at the event were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, and Army Chief Gen Tan Sri Azhan Md Othman.

Anwar stressed that demanding a complete report from Felda management is essential to safeguard the agency’s standing as a vital national institution and prevent further governance failures.

“If we don’t (do something), no matter how long, our agencies — including Malay agencies that we take pride in and want to defend — this is what will become of them. So we must correct that,” he emphasized.

–NMT