{
  "id": 2731877,
  "title": "Zahid says open to RCI, calls for forensic audit of Felda losses",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/zahid-says-open-to-rci-calls-for-forensic-audit-of-felda-losses",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-23T05:47:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/23/zahid-says-open-to-rci-calls-for-forensic-audit-of-felda-losses"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has disclosed that Felda, a Malaysian state-owned plantation company, is facing losses of nearly RM10 billion due to mismanagement and political interference. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged a forensic audit of Felda to investigate allegations of abuse of power and governance failures, aiming to establish the cause of the losses and identify those responsible. Although Zahid is open to the formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to probe Felda, he emphasized that it must not be used to persecute or humiliate any individual. He affirmed that those responsible, if there is substantial evidence against them, should face justice. Earlier this month, Anwar said the government would release a report by a special task force on Felda, detailing its problems. Additionally, Zahid suggested that Malaysia should alter its approach to Islamic tourism by providing a more comprehensive experience, rather than just promoting mosques and halal food. He highlighted the growing Muslim tourism segment, including travellers from West Asia, and mentioned the potential for Malaysia to attract these tourists year-round, including cruise packages offering various Islamic-themed activities during the journey.",
  "summary": "Deputy prime minister says the probe should clearly establish the cause of the losses faced by Felda.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Zahid calls for forensic audit into alleged wrongdoing at Felda",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/zahid-calls-for-forensic-audit-into-alleged-wrongdoing-at-felda",
        "published": "2026-08-23T04:01:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : Forensic Audit Needed To Probe FELDA Issue - Ahmad Zahid",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/general-forensic-audit-needed-to-probe-felda-issue-ahmad-zahid",
        "published": "2026-08-23T04:18:22.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Zahid terbuka RCI Felda tapi jangan zalim",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/zahid-terbuka-rci-felda-tapi-jangan-zalim",
        "published": "2026-08-23T05:20:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Forensic audit needed to determine abuse or governance lapses in Felda, says DPM Zahid",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/forensic-audit-needed-to-determine-abuse-or-governance-lapses-in",
        "published": "2026-08-23T06:19:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}