IPOH (Sept 7): Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) today lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in connection with alleged power abuse in the allocation of 1,200 hectares of land throughout Perak for the development of forest plantations.

Its vice-president Datuk Hamidah Osman said that the report was made, following a letter titled ‘surat karam’ which was widely circulated on social media sites highlighting several forest exploration projects involving individuals related to the state government.

“I was informed that there are three approvals involving 1,200 hectares of land. I also understand that many more approvals are given by the state government for the development of forest plantations to interested individuals.

“What we see is that (forest plantation development) aims at harvesting the timber and this will involve environmental problems, especially in the Kledang Saiyong Forest Reserve which is known to be a water catchment area,” she said when met by reporters at the Perak MACC office compound here today.

Apart from that, she said, the scandal also involved the allocation of 301.9 hectares of land through direct negotiation to a company to carry out the people’s farm project in Ulu Piah, Tambun in April 2019.

Hamidah added that the move raised questions as the said company was only established in August 2018, and in less than a year, it has acquired 301.9 hectares of land.

“My question is what policy is being used to give approval to this company,” she said.

Perak MACC director Datuk Mohd Fauzi Mohamad when contacted said the agency has received a report lodged by Putra and will conduct a thorough investigation.

In IPOH, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu has stressed that he is ready to work with the MACC on allegations which linked him to the land allocation scandal in the state.

Ahmad Faizal, in a statement today, said that he took note of the report lodged by Putra this morning.

“I took note of the report in relation to some of the allegations contained in a letter which went viral on social media recently,” he said in a statement here, today, adding that he is always ready to give full cooperation to the MACC in conducting an investigation into the report.

Meanwhile, MACC deputy chief commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya said that the agency will conduct an investigation into the complaint lodged by Putra.

Ahmad Khusairi, in a statement, also urged all parties to cease from commenting on the issue and provide space for the investigation to be conducted transparently and professionally.