Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim has been tipped to be the next FGV Holdings Bhd chairman, sources tell FocusM.
The veteran Umno leader is set to replace Datuk Wira Azhar Abdul Hamid. It is not known whether Shahidan, like Azhar, will also be appointed chairman of sugar refiner MSM Holdings Bhd, which is controlled by FGV.
The Federal Land Authority (Felda) in turn controls FGV while Koperasi Permodalan Felda Malaysia Bhd and armed forces fund Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) own 5% and 1.25% stake respectively.
Ministry of Finance (Incorporated) also owns a golden share in FGV which confers it the right to nominate a government-appointed director, like in the case of current chairman Azhar, to the board.
The Felda chairman is former higher education minister and Besut MP Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, also from Umno.
It is understood that while FGV discourages board members from not holding political positions, the group’s constitution is not strong enough to bar an MP or a politician from becoming chairman.
Sources say that the deal is as good as done for FGV, and that the post would likely go to Shahidan.
Prior to the 14th general election in 2018, Shahidan was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department. And, while not much is known about Shahidan’s previous business exploits, he has been a controversial figure nonetheless.
On April 24 last year, Shahidan had been given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal by the Kangar Sessions Court after being charged for molesting a 15-year-old girl. – May 25, 2020
Correction: In an earlier version, we wrote that Shahidan was the minister in charge of Islamic affairs. However, that post was held by Datuk Seri Jamil Khir.
