Persatuan Anak Peneroka Felda Kebangsaan (Anak) has welcomed the return of Zakaria Arshad to Felda Global Ventures Holding Bhd’s (FGV) after a four-month leave of absence.

In a statement yesterday, Anak president Mazlan Aliman hoped that both Zakaria and new FGV chairperson Azhar Abd Hamid will work together to rehabilitate FGV's performance.

Zakaria, who was on leave since June 6 together with three other FGV officials, will be resuming his duties as the organisation’s group president and chief executive officer (CEO) on Oct 16.

They were told to take a leave of absence pending a domestic probe into the purported wrongdoing involving transactions between FGV subsidiary Delima Oil Products and Dubai-based Safitex.

Mazlan (photo), however, reiterated the need for the current board of directors to resign and raised concerns over politicians meddling into FGV's affairs.

"As Anak had stressed before, the incumbent FGV board of directors should resign. They could not continue the job that had been entrusted to them," he said.

"The restructuring of the board must take into account of the members' background and expertise in the plantation sector," Mazlan stressed.

He lauded the move to add three Felda officials - Abu Bakar Harun, Ab Ghani Mohd Ali and Muzzammil Mohd Nor – as directors to FGV board in July.

"This was important for the future of FGV and boost the confidence of the investors and Felda community," he added.

"However, Anak is worry about the interference from politicians, who often take advantage to seek personal gain. This happened quite often and could not be avoided," he said.

Felda, Felda Asset Holding Company and Koperasi Permodalan Felda, which held a total 37 percent stake in FGV, has a huge interest in the Felda's investment arm, said Mazlan.

"(Anak) hopes the latest development will bring a meaningful change to the Felda settlers."