Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak must not wash his hands of the latest scandal linked to the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda), said an Amanah-linked Felda settlers NGO.

Persatuan Anak Peneroka Felda Kebangsaan (Anak) chairperson Mazlan Aliman (photo) said Najib must be made “jointly accountable” for the problems currently faced by Felda, as the individual responsible for appointing Isa Samad as its former chairperson.

“Whatever our perceptions may be of Isa, Najib can’t wash his hands. He is the one who appointed Isa, although there were objections from many parties.

“The concept of ’joint accountability’ in the sense that it is not only Isa who should be blamed. My apologies Najib you are (equally) responsible for this tragedy that has befallen Felda,” said Mazlan in a statement today.

Mazlan was referring to the reports that Felda is at risk of losing rights to four plots of land valued at around RM270 million, located along Jalan Semarak, Kuala Lumpur, due to an ownership transfer through an allegedly "dubious transaction" in 2015.

Malay daily Berita Harian had on Thursday exposed the alleged deal, which occurred during Isa’s tenure as chairperson, from 2011 to January this year.

In response, current Felda chairperson Shahrir Samad said all options would be pursued to reclaim ownership of the four parcels of land, which were later revealed to be worth up to RM1 billion.

Najib had also reportedly ordered for an investigation to be conducted on the case.

Additionally, Mazlan also pointed out that what Shahrir described as the possibility of alleged fraud by the appointed developer could have been avoided if Najib, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Razali Ibrahim, and the Felda board of directors had prevented it from the beginning.

As such, he also expressed sympathy for Shahrir, who has had to shoulder responsibility for a scandal left behind by his predecessor Isa (photo).

“I am confident that the prime minister and Razali are aware of the details surrounding development of (Felda)’s land on Jalan Semarak.

“I sympathise with Shahrir who is (now) responsible to clean the ‘mess’ left behind by his predecessor,” said Mazlan.

Shahrir, who took over from Isa in January, had within the same month reportedly ordered for resignation of all Felda Investment Corporation board of directors as part of its restructuring exercise.

Responding to the Jalan Semarak land scandal, Razali had also said the Prime Minister’s Department would be appointing an independent auditor in January to conduct an internal audit on Felda, and determine whether there had been breaches in the appointment of the project’s master developer.

On Friday, the police said that they will record Isa's statement from upon his return from abroad. 

In a statement today, however, Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar (photo) cited media reports of Isa’s return to Kuala Lumpur, on the same night that deputy inspector-general of police Noor Rashid Ibrahim made the statement. 

“It is very strange and confusing how the media can ‘detect’ Isa’s arrival at KLIA, but the police did not," he said, referring to reports of Isa purportedly escaping the media who waited for his arrival. 

“What kind of ‘invisible spell’ did Isa use, aside from his small stature, until even the police could not spot him?. 

“If it was any other ordinary person, I believe that the police would have (waited) and apprehended him upon touchdown at the airport,” Mahfuz claimed. 

At the time, Noor Rashid had said the case is being investigated under Sections 420 of the Penal Code, which deals with cheating. 

Upon conviction, an offence under Section 420 is punishable by imprisonment of between one to ten years with whipping and a fine.

The case is also being investigated under Section 471 of the Penal Code.