FGV AGM: five of nine agenda items focus on board’s increase in allowance

KUALA LUMPUR – One of the items in FGV Holding Bhd’s annual general meeting agenda has irked several opposition lawmakers as it suggests “obscene” annual allowances for its board of directors.

It was first brought up by opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim this morning as he questioned the fate of Felda settlers, while discussions are focused on increasing allowances for the board.

“I would like to ask if it is true that this meeting will only focus on the allowance increase for its FGV’s chairman and board of directors?

“If this is true, what about the fate of the settlers? Will the problems they face now be discussed?” he tweeted.

Meanwhile, fellow PKR members and Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim said of the nine agenda items, five of them are on proposals for the board’s allowance.

“The allowance paid is already very high and lucrative. The annual total payments are ‘obscene’ compared to the struggles faced by the settlers.”

Hassan, in his statement, said items seven and eight are on the reappointments of board members who are supposed to retire, but with their reappointments they will continue to enjoy their allowances.

“In 2019, the Pakatan Harapan government presented a white paper in Parliament outlining plans to bail out the settlers, Felda and FGV, injecting billions into Felda.

“It is unfortunate and irresponsible of FGV’s board members to only discuss, present and approve their own allowances in today’s meeting.”

He also urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Felda chairman Tan Sri Idris Jusoh to step in.

FGV’s 14th AGM is held virtually starting at 11am today.

Yesterday Ketari assemblywoman Young Syefura Othman of DAP shared FGV’s AGM notice, highlighting the proposed allowance increment for chairman Datuk Zulkefli Wahab, from RM300,000 to RM480,000, and director’s allowance from RM120,000 to RM150,000. – The Vibes, June 23, 2022