Former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s ex-aide, Datuk Marzuki Mohamad, recently contested the authenticity of a document presented by current Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Marzuki claims that the said document, purporting to be a debt waiver agreement for the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) settlers, is indeed a bond issuance backed by the government.
Marzuki asserted that he could immediately identify the discrepancy, citing the document as being related to government-guaranteed sukuk, a form of Islamic bond, issued periodically. In a social media post, he urged for more transparency by asking the government to disclose the minutes of a Cabinet meeting held on October 14, 2020.
Marzuki clarified that the said meeting was when the previous Cabinet, under Muhyiddin, green-lighted a Felda Recovery Plan. This plan comprised a significant debt write-off, around 80%, for the Felda settlers, amounting to RM8.3 billion. Additionally, the issuance of RM9.9 billion worth of sukuk in phases was decided for purchasing FGV Holdings Berhad and resolving Felda’s outstanding debts with Maybank and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF). The plan also included a yearly grant of RM990 million for Felda from the federal government.
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Marzuki maintained that Anwar’s released document didn’t substantiate the claims that the debt waiver took place only in June this year. Instead, it reflected the issuance of government-backed sukuk, a decision made during Muhyiddin’s cabinet term in 2020.
Taking a dig at Anwar, Marzuki added, “Any finance minister would need to sign this document. As far as I can recall, Muhyiddin was never the finance minister.” Anwar currently holds the Finance Minister portfolio.
Earlier, Malay Mail documented proof of Anwar approving M990 million on June 27, this year, apparently as part of the debt waiver agreement for Felda settlers. However, Marzuki refuted these claims, leading to a heated exchange and a call from Muhyiddin to Anwar for an apology and a retraction of his previous assertions.
While Muhyiddin maintained his stance that the debt waiver’s execution happened under his tenure, Anwar rebutted by stating the prior government only agreed on the waiver but didn’t follow through, enabling him to act upon it in 2023.
Source: Malay Mail.
