FGV Fiasco: MACC to question 50 more top officials

MACC Officers arrive at the FGV HQ in Kuala Lumpur
June 8, 2017 ― Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has summoned around 50 Felda Global Ventures Holding (FGV) senior executives for its investigation into alleged abuse at the plantation conglomerate.

According to an Utusan Malaysia report, MACC Deputy Commissioner (Operations) Datuk Azam Baki said the group will begin their interviews today.

“Our officers will also be heading to Felda's office to collect documents related to the allegations that were part of the investigations started last week,” he was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

“The timeframe to conclude the investigation will depend on the co-operation by these witnesses and we believe the statements to be recorded will assist our efforts to finish the probe as soon as possible depending on the available evidence,” he added.

The paper further quoted Azam as saying that MACC may call in FGV chairman Tan Sri Isa Samad and suspended CEO Datuk Zakaria Arshad if necessary.

Zakaria met last week with the MACC when the commission commenced its investigation.

“If necessary, yes, we will call them,” he said.

Azam told the newspaper the investigation will focus on six key issues, but did not elaborate.

Zakaria, FGV chief financial officer Ahmad Tifli Mohd Talha, FGV Trading chief executive officer Ahmad Salman Omar, and FGV subsidiary Delima Oil Products Sdn Bhd senior general manager Kamarzaman Abd Karim have been suspended since Tuesday pending internal scrutiny into alleged irregularities over the delayed payment owed by Afghan firm Safitex.

The federal government has appointed Datuk Seri Idris Jala, chief executive of the private government efficiency firm Pemandu Associates, as a third-party independent investigator.