(July 6): Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had feared that the listing of Malaysia oil palm giant Felda Global Ventures Holdings (FGV) would not bode well for settlers under the government scheme to resettle and uplift the rural poor through smallholdings, an activist for Felda settlers said.

National Felda Settlers' Children's Association (Anak) president Mazlan Aliman said this on his Facebook page after the non-governmental organisation met Dr Mahathir today at Perdana Leadership Foundation in Putrajaya.

Mazlan, a PAS member, said the NGO had a one hour meeting with Dr Mahathir on Felda, FGV, Korporasi Permodalan Felda, 1Malaysia Development Berhad, the goods and services tax and his criticism against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

"Why did FGV throw away money to buy hotels, factories and invest overseas when there are room and vast opportunities to do so at home? Buying assets at high prices and taking advantage for personal interests.

"Tun shared his concerns that if FGV allowed its shares to outside companies, then what the settlers' own will be pawned off.

"His revelations were interesting... on behalf of Anak, I asked Tun to make a statement on the critical situation in Felda and FGV. He gave a good response," Mazlan said in his Facebook post, in which he also called the meeting with Dr Mahathir "historic".

The former prime minister had also expressed his surprise at Najib's move to appoint Tan Sri Isa Samad as Felda chairman, as Isa had been involved in wrongdoing and money politics.

FGV shares have performed poorly, tumbling more than 50% since being listed three years ago.

Recent news that it was acquiring Indonesia's PT Rajawali's stake in Eagle High Plantations also drew concerns since the deal for the 37% stake was at a higher price of Rp755, compared to Rajawali's purchase at an average price of Rp400 in December 2014.

It meant Rajawali made a profit of US$328 million (RM1.23 billion), leading to accusations of cronyism since the deal benefited Indonesian tycoon Peter Sondakh, who is a close associate of Najib's.

Mazlan said Dr Mahathir's views on Felda's listing was the most interesting issue he spoke about at the meeting, adding that the former prime minister had also talked about Najib and the things he had done which have "jeopardised" the country.

"He said Pak Lah (Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) was bad but Najib is worse... he said he supported Najib previously but now he has to retract his support," Mazlan said.

He said Dr Mahathir also related how he had tried to advise Najib but his words fell on deaf ears. – The Malaysian Insider