By Doreenn Leong
Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Othman, 73, is expected to step down as Sime Darby Plantation Bhd chairman. He was appointed to the board on July 1, 2013.
Industry sources say the company is likely to make an announcement soon but it is unknown who will be replacing him.
The ex-chief minister of Johor was formerly chairman of Sime Darby Bhd and Sime Darby Property Bhd.
Abdul Ghani was appointed as a Member of the Senate in December 1984 and subsequently elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Ledang in August 1986.
He served as the chief minister of Johor from March 1995 to May 2013. He was also the chairman of the board of directors of Johor Corporation from May 1995 to May 2013.
It will be interesting to see if there will be another political appointment at the plantation giant. It is stated in the constitution that an MP who receives a government-linked company (GLC) appointment will be disqualified as an MP.
Since Tan Sri Muhiyddin Yassin took over as the Prime Minister following a power tussle, there have been a number of political appointees on the board of GLCs.
Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh left the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) in April, replaced by Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub, MP for Machang.
However, Bakke was named as the new chairman of Telekom Malaysia Bhd effective May 11, replacing Rosli Man.
It was also reported that Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority Bhd (Felcra) chairman Datuk Nageeb Wahab and his board had left and that a political appointee, Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Shabudin Yahaya, would take over the chairmanship of the agency.
A recent FocusM report said Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim is likely to be appointed as FGV Holdings Bhd chairman replacing Datuk Wira Azhar Abdul Hamid. – May 26, 2020
