Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) chairperson Shahrir Abdul Samad has hailed the appointment of Sulaiman Mahbob as acting chairperson of Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV) with immediate effect from today.

He said Sulaiman was not a new player in the industry, as he was formerly a member of the Felda board of directors, and was highly knowledgeable and experienced about Felda matters.

"The switch between Sulaiman and Isa Samad would give a continuity to Felda's role, aside from ensuring Felda's voice and spirit are well heard.

"I hope that with the change in the upper management, FGV will be able to improve on important matters as change must begin from the top," he told reporters after attending the Ihy Rahmat Ramadhan event at the Felda Tenang Mosque in Segamat today.

He added that this was a positive move, and hoped that Felda would join FGV as one of the board of directors, saying that Felda would want to see their representative holding an important position in FGV.

"According to corporate management best practices, Felda is allowed to place three representatives in the FGV board of directors, but we will leave that decision to the board.

"Holder of special shares should have three representatives in the board, comprising chairperson, director and chief executive officer," he said.

- Bernama