by Sherina Yusof
Controversial former Negri Sembilan chief minister Isa Samad
is in the news again over possible abuse of power. Now the Felda chairman, Isa
recently appointed himself the new head of the sprawling land agency's
co-operative unit, Koperasi Permodalan Felda Berhad or KPF.
The appointment raised eyebrows because Isa will be replacing
Felda director-general Dzulkifli Abd Wahad at KPF. Settlers say Dzulkifli has
beeing doing a good job for KPF, which is on the list of the 10 most successful
cooperatives in the country. It won the Anugerah Koperasi Cemerlang (Kluster
Besar) in 2011.
There is also unhappiness because of Isa's own personal track
record. The Umno leader and Bagan Pinang assemblyman is considered a political
appointee and his suspension for money politics from Umno several years ago
have prompted concerns that he may put his personal and party interests ahead
of the settlers'.
"KPF is owned by the settlers and for them, the
leadership of the KPF chairman, Datuk Dzulkifli Abd Wahad, should not have been
changed because throughout his leadership, KPF was never at a loss and it was
even successful to give a 15 per cent dividend last year," PAS information
chief Tuan Ibrahim said in a statement.
Ultra-vires?
According to Pakatan Rakyat leaders, Isa's appointment was
suspicious because it was against the Cooperatives Acts, Regulations and Laws,
which states that such appointments must be conducted at a general meeting and
not just at a board meeting. They want his appointment to be revoked.
Isa had appointed himself during a board meeting at the end
of Ramadan. Furthermore, KPF only accepts settlers and Felda staff as members
and although Isa is chairman of the main Felda body, he is not considered an
eligible staff for KPF membership.
As such, he is not qualified to become a KPF member, let
alone be its chairman, said Tuan Ibrahim. "Isa is only appointed for a
certain period of time and not a KPF officer is not qualified to become a
member," Tuan Ibrahim added.
Support
letter from Najib
According to the PAS leader Ibrahim, who lives in the Felda
Jengka area in Pahang area, Isa's justification for his self-appointment was
based on a support letter from Prime Minister Najib Razak.
What the Felda settlers found more insulting, he said, was
that the appointment was made when Dzulkifli was not in the country.
"This action shows the true colors of the new Felda
chairman who is clearly not respecting the existing KPF leadership and this is
strong objected to by the KPF members," said Ibrahim, reiterating his call
for the authorities to revoke the appointment.
Parent body, Felda is a rural land resettlement scheme
initiated to help the poor Malays make a living by tilling the land and
contributing to the nation's agricultural sector. The corporatized agency has
been under Prime Minister Najib's stewardship since 1997.
Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim told Parliament earlier this
year that while Felda might look strong in its financials, huge overseas losses
incurred by its investment arm Felda Global Ventures have built up and could
plunge the entire group into financial chaos.
Among issues that remain unexplained to settlers, despite
constant needling by Pkatan MPs are a RM6 billion loan taken from the Employee Provident
Fund without any known or clearly-stated intention.
Another sore point was the surety of the entire Felda
Plantation granted to its investors, Felda Global Ventures for 60 years. Again,
this was done when Dzulkifli was away for umrah (prayers in Mecca).
Source : MC
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