KUALA LUMPUR: Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV) group president and chief executive officer Datuk Zakaria Arshad says he has always maintained that the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) should be represented within the FGV setup.
Zakaria was responding to a news report quoting Felda chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad as saying that the entity, as FGV’s single largest shareholder, has submitted three names to be representatives on the FGV board.
“From the start, as a board member and chief executive of FGV, I have always supported the suggestion that our parent Felda is represented in FGV,” he told NST and Berita Harian in a briefing at Menara Felda today.
Zakaria went on forced leave today, following an instruction from the company’s board of directors. Also on forced leave is group chief financial officer Ahmad Tifli Mohd Talha.
The action was meted out pending investigations of certain transactions under Delima Oil Products Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of FGV.
Zakaria, meanwhile, said he understood the concerns voiced out by Shahrir.
“To me, it is only logical for Felda as the parent of FGV to be adequately represented in FGV board,” Zakaria said.
Currently, FGV’s nine board members are chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad, chief executive officer Datuk Zakaria Arshad, Datuk Dr Omar Salim, Datuk Yahaya Abd Jabar, Datuk Siti Zauyah Md Desa, Datuk Noor Ehsanuddin Mohd Harun Narrashid, Tan Sri Dr. Sulaiman Mahbob, Datuk Mohamed Suffian Awang and Datuk Mohd Zafer Mohd Hashim.
Unlike other plantation companies which liaise directly with the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry, FGV and Felda come under the purview of the Prime Minister’s Department.
Zakaria confirmed that he recently spoke with Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Razali Ibrahim.
“Yes, Datuk Razali telephoned me around midnight of May 31 after the FGV board meeting and asked what had transpired,” Zakaria said.
“I told him what I know. I gave him the facts and the figures pertaining the allegations. I’m not sure why this attack on my reputation came about but as you can see this is a deliberate attempt to smear my name.
“I will face this with an open heart. My conscience is clear. I have nothing to hide. I have worked with the Felda Group of companies throughout my career of more than 33 years. I’m one of the second generation of Felda settlers. My life is with Felda.”
Zakaria paused for a moment and revealed his mother who is living in Felda Palong and his family are having to endure these frustrating allegations questioning his integrity. “My mother and my family are praying for me.”
Reporting by OOI TEE CHING, ZAFIRA ANWAR and LAILI ISMAIL.