ISA: I CAN’T DISCUSS CEO ISSUE NOW
FGV chairman allegedly proposed removal of CEO
FELDA Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV) chairman Tan Sri Isa Samad said he will consult board members about the issue of its group president and chief executive officer.
“I cannot comment on the matter now and neither can I say when the statement will be issued.
“This needs deliberation by the board before it can make a decision,” he said in response to a rumour that he had proposed the removal of FGV group president and chief executive officer Datuk Zakaria Arshad.
Isa was at a breaking-of-fast gathering at Felda Residence in Trolak here yesterday.
When asked, Isa refused to confirm whether the issue was discussed in a meeting with board members, which allegedly left out Zakaria on Friday.
“We discussed a lot of things, including the establishment of an FGV academy to improve skills and knowledge of staff, especially in the plantation sector.
“We are ironing out the details and have identified locations, including Trolak and Tekam (Pahang), for the academy, which is expected to start operations this year,” he said.
Earlier, Isa said he had a responsibility to uphold the image of the company.
Admitting to having signed letters of recommendation to FGV (for contracts), he said some were turned down in accordance with the procedures by the company.
“It is important that we practise good governance.
“If there are issues in the company, the matter should be referred to the chairman or board,” he said.
He was rumoured to have proposed the move during a recent board meeting, allegedly citing late payment by Afghan company Safitex, which had dealings with a FGV subsidiary.
Blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin had, in a post yesterday, said Zakaria was blamed for the matter as Safitex had not been able to clear the payment for shipment for September last year.