Investigators search Felda Global’s head office

Malaysian investigators spent nearly eight hours at the headquarters of Felda Global Ventures Holdings (FGV) on Thursday, collecting documents and interviewing company officials following allegations of corruption and abuse of power at the world’s third-largest palm oil operator.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is looking into several officials at FGV, following the suspension of the firm’s chief executive officer, chief financial officer and two other executives earlier this week.

An FGV source said MACC investigators visited various offices in the building, including the legal, finance, procurement and supplier departments, but was not able to provide details on which company officials were interviewed. The investigators declined to comment on their way out of the building.

An MACC spokesman had said earlier on Thursday that the agency was at FGV’s offices in Kuala Lumpur “to collect supporting documents” following a meeting with FGV Chief Executive Zakaria Arshad on Wednesday.

The investigators could seize laptops and computers as well, he said, declining to give details on what was discussed with Zakaria.

The FGV crisis unfolded on Tuesday when a letter was leaked from Zakaria to Chairman Mohd Isa Abdul Samad in which he refused to step down as instructed by the chairman. (RTRS)