This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on June 27, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister of Economic Affairs Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali has confirmed that Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh will succeed Tan Sri Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor as chairman of the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda), confirming a report by The Edge Financial Daily yesterday.

In a statement yesterday, Mohd Azmin said he respects Megat Zaharuddin’s desire to relinquish his position and has discussed the issue of the latter’s successor with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“The prime minister has agreed to appoint Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh as Felda’s new chairman for two years, effective from July 1, 2019 until June 30, 2021,” he said.

“Tan Sri Mohd Bakke is a corporate figure with integrity and credibility. He has extensive experience in the corporate sector, including the plantation industry. I am confident that he possesses the leadership skills to continue the effort to restore Felda as an agency that can maintain settlers’ dignity and guarantee Felda’s sustainability,” he added.

Yesterday, The Edge Financial Daily reported, citing sources, that Mohd Bakke has been put forward as the top contender to helm Felda, after the 64-year-old announced his retirement as managing director of Sime Darby Plantation Bhd.

Regarded a veteran in the plantation industry, Mohd Bakke joined the Sime Darby Group as acting president and group chief executive officer on July 15, 2010. He was appointed president and group chief executive officer (CEO) of Sime Darby Bhd on Nov 27, 2010, a post he held until Nov 20, 2017.

On Nov 21, 2017, he assumed the role of executive deputy chairman and managing director of Sime Darby Plantation, from which he is retiring on June 30 this year.

Prior to joining the Sime Darby Group, Mohd Bakke served as FGV Holdings Bhd (then Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd) group president and CEO — a position he took up in January 2009.

Megat Zaharuddin’s resignation was confirmed by Felda on Tuesday, after The Edge Financial Daily reported on the same day that he has quit. His resignation, which also takes effect on June 30, came just 11 months after he took the job on July 27 last year.