KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malayan Banking Bhd chairman Tan Sri Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor is the new chairman of Federal Land Development Authority (Felda).
Megat Zaharuddin, who had served 12 years at Maybank, replaces Tan Sri Shahrir Samad, an Umno veteran, effective today.
When contacted by telephone today, Felda director-general Datuk Ab Ghani Ali said: "Yes, I met up with Tan Sri Megat Zaharuddin here at Menara Felda this morning. He is our new chairman."
Shahrir resigned as Felda chairman on May 14 this year, following his defeat at the 14th General Elections.
Three other United Malaysia National Organisation (Umno) political appointees, namely Datuk Abu Bakar Harun, Datuk Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib and Datuk Mohd Isa Abu Kasim, had also resigned from the Felda board, along with Shahrir.
Established in 1956, the Felda scheme assisted poor Malays by resettling them in oil palm and rubber plantations, in the hope of eradicating poverty through economic empowerment.
There are 112,635 settler families nationwide.
Together with their second-and third-generation family members, they make up 1.2 million voters.
Felda schemes are scattered across 54 parliamentary constituencies, or nearly a quarter of the 222 seats in Parliament.
Under the previous government, there were Umno branches across all Felda settlements.
Things change under the new Pakatan Harapan government. Shortly after assuming power on May 10 2018, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced that political appointees should no longer be serving at government-linked companies.
Megat Zaharuddin’s appointment as Felda new chairman reflects that aspiration as he is not a politician.
On May 25 2017, Malaysian Palm Oil Board director general Dr Kushairi Din, Felda woman settler icon Ramlah Jelani and former general director Datuk Dzulkifli Abd Wahab were appointed to the board.
When contacted via telephone today, Kushairi said he was no longer with Felda board but was open to serve the institution, if needed.
"There were three of us who were appointed for a year. Our one year tenure as Felda board members expired on May 24 2018, soon after the 14th General Elections," he said.
Having appointed the new Felda chairman this week, the government is in the midst of restructuring the composition of Felda's board, with a few more new directors to be named in two weeks.
When asked if he might be re-appointed to Felda board, Kushairi said: "Well, if my service is needed, I'm happy to serve."