11 candidates shortlisted for FGV CEO post

KUALA LUMPUR: Eleven candidates are in the running for the FGV Holdings Bhd chief executive officer post, said FGV Holdings chairman Datuk Wira Azhar Abdul Hamid.

“We’re finalising the list of 11 candiddates, of which two are from within FGV,” he told reporters at the sidelines of an investors’ conference here, today.

“That appointment is important because we need someone to head the operations. Hopefully, it will be announced very soon,” said Azhar.

The CEO position in FGV was left vacant after Datuk Zakaria Arshad resigned on 18th September 2018, following his suspension on 13th September 2018.

Zakaria, a long-time Felda employee and a second-generation Felda settler, held the position from 1st April 2016 and last year, survived a boardroom tussle with former FGV chairman Tan Sri Isa Samad.

Pending appointment of the new CEO, a Special Board Committee made up of Azhar, Datuk Dr Salmiah Ahmad, Dr Mohamed Nazeeb P. Alithambi and Datin Hoi Lai Ping performs that function.

On the 13th September 2018, FGV said a notice of inquiry had been issued to Zakaria following internal investigations into 10 critical issues that had resulted in financial loss for FGV and its shareholders.

It was reported that up to seven of these issues were related to FGV’s unit, Delima Oil Products Sdn Bhd, over delayed payment and delivery of goods involving Afghanistan-based customer Safitex Trading LLC.

Following the notice of inquiry, Zakaria’s powers and authorities vested in him as group president and CEO of FGV were suspended.

Source: NST