IDRIS TO CLEAR UP FGV MUDDLE FELDA CHAIRMAN SHAHRIR WANTS FGV CHAIRMAN ISA AND CEO ZAKARIA TO STOP COMMENTING ON MATTER FGV SHARE PRICE REBOUNDS, BUT ANALYSTS EXPECT MORE VOLATILITY ZAKARIA GIVES STATEMENT TO MACC; INSISTS DEBT TO FGV SUBSIDIARY WILL B
Pemandu CEO to recommend way forward for the company following action against top officials
FORMER minister Datuk Seri Idris Jala is tasked with establishing the facts in the Felda Global Ventures Holdings affair, and to propose a way forward with regard to the company’s action against the CEO.
FORMER minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala has been appointed as an independent party to establish the facts of the case behind the Felda Global Ventures (FGV) Holdings Bhd tussle.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday said the Pemandu Associates Sdn Bhd president and chief executive officer would also recommend the way forward on the decision by FGV to suspend its top officers, including chief executive officer and president Datuk Zakaria Arshad.
“The relevant parties have agreed to Idris’s appointment.
“Those consulted were Felda chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad, the single biggest FGV shareholder, FGV chairman Tan Sri Isa Samad, Zakaria, and FGV chief financial officer Ahmad Tifli Mohd Talha,” said the statement.
On Tuesday, Zakaria was told to go on leave with immediate effect, amid a boardroom tussle.
He had earlier urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to probe into FGV’s dealings.
Speaking to the press, Zakaria said the forced leave was to allow FGV to carry out an internal inquiry into matters related to dealings between its subsidiary, Delima Oil Products Sdn Bhd (DOP), and Afghan company Safitex.
Ahmad, DOP senior general manager Kamarzaman Abd Karim and FGV Trading chief executive officer Ahmad Salman Omar were also told to go on leave.
Reports suggested that the rift between Isa and Zakaria was over late payment involving Safitex for palm oil products supplied by DOP.
Zakaria on Monday denied any wrongdoing and said the arrangement with Safitex was approved and implemented by his predecessor, according to a letter sighted by the New Straits Times.
In Johor Baru, Shahrir said an inquiry needed to be conducted by FGV’s board of directors on Zakaria.
“I hope the inquiry will be conducted in a quick and fair manner. Do not delay it.
“As the chairman of Felda, I want to see that this happens.
“Felda folk want this (a quick and fair inquiry) because it involves four senior officers told to go on leave.
“I thought it was only Zakaria, but it was four who were told to go on leave.
“To avoid things cropping up in blogs or social media, with some quarters claiming there is a scapegoat and other’s pointing their finger, this (inquiry) must be expedited,” he said here yesterday.
Shahrir said Zakaria and Isa, as FGV chairman, should avoid commenting on the matter as it could affect the inquiry.
He said a decision by Felda on Monday to nominate three representatives to sit on the FGV board was done to retain Felda settlers’ confidence in FGV.
He said such a move was important as Felda would know more about FGV’s business.
“Previously, there were representatives from Felda, but now, there are people who claim they do not represent Felda’s main body and have nothing to do with Felda,” said Shahrir.
I hope the inquiry will be conducted in a quick and fair manner. Do not delay it. As the chairman of Felda, I want to see that this happens. TAN SRI SHAHRIR ABDUL SAMAD
Felda chairman