By Zefry Dahalan - Free Malaysia TodaySEREMBAN: Felda is forcing settlers to deal with a specific company in the felling of old rubber trees and the sale of rubber wood, according to a report filed with the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) today.
"We want the MACC to investigate abuse of power by Felda and we want to know who are behind the company that has been awarded the contract,” Negeri Sembilan PAS Commissioner Zulkefly Mohamad Omar told FMT outside the MACC office here.
Zulkefly and Jempol PAS chief Abdul Rahman Ramli accompanied settler Osman Sentul in lodging the report. Osman claimed to be a representative for 120 settlers in the Lui Selatan 1 and 2 land schemes in Jempol.
Zulkefly said Felda was denying the settlers the right to cut down trees and to sell the wood on their own.
"These 120 settlers don't have any more debts with Felda and it is their right to do whatever they want with their rubber trees, including choosing their own contractors for the cutting down of trees and the sale of the wood,” he said.
"The Group Settlement Agreement between Felda and settlers clearly indicates that the moment the settlers pay off all their dues with Felda, it doesn't have any more rights over their rubber or oil palm holdings.”
He also alleged that Felda appointed the contractor without going through an open tender system.
“I learnt from the settlers that Felda gave this company the contract to deal with other Felda schemes as well.”
Zulkelfy also said that Felda had not told the settlers how much the company would pay for their wood.
“What is so special about this company?" he asked.
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