The public spat between Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd’s (FGV) top guns - chairperson Isa Abdul Samad and chief executive officer Zakaria Arshad - has led some to believe that this could be a proxy war waged by key Umno chieftains.

Zakaria was suspended after he reportedly refused Isa’s request for him to resign over alleged wrongdoing in the credit arrangements between Delima Oil Products Sdn Bhd and Dubai-based Safitex Trading LLC.

Following his suspension, Zakaria went to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on his own accord and submitted documents to assist investigations into the allegations concerning mismanagement in FGV.

His combative nature and initial willingness to speak to the press to offer his side of the story led some to think that he may have the support of certain powerful people.

So is anyone backing Zakaria, a non-politician? And what about Isa, who himself is an Umno heavyweight - is he acting alone or otherwise?

Malaysiakini spoke to a few individuals who have been keeping close tabs on the developments in both the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) and FGV for their take on the matter.

A source who declined to be named told Malaysiakini that the crisis was an internal feud involving Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s advisers...