KUALA LUMPUR (May 13): A plantation beloging to PT Eagle High Plantations Tbk (EHP), in which the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) owns a 37% equity stake, has received a Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) accreditation, according to reports from Indonesian news portals.

Citing a release by the plantation group, WartaEkonomi.co.id reported EHP had received an RSPO certificate for a plant in Kumai, Kotawaringin Barat District, Central Kalimantan, over the weekend.

This is the first plantation belonging to the group that has received the certification.

Quoting EHP sustainability director Denys Collin Munang, the news portal said the receipt of the certificate is a testament to the company’s commitment to sustainability.

“The acceptance of this RSPO certificate marks the achievement of one of our goals to ensure that the operational activities of the company are balanced, and supports the 17 sustainable development goals,” he said.

The recent development has posed some questions over Felda’s decision to exercise a put option to sell back the 37% stake in EHP to the vendor PT Rajawali Capital International, which is owned by Indonesian businessman Tan Sri Peter Sondakh.

It was previously reported that Felda’s board of directors exercised the put option in a letter dated Jan 3, 2019, on grounds Rajawali failed to meet key conditions, including securing the RSPO certification by the end of 2019.

In April, Felda director-general Datuk Dr Othman Omar filed a police report claiming the agency was cheated into entering into a one-sided deal for the sale and purchase of the equity stake in EHP.

He claimed that then prime minister cum finance minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had directed Felda to acquire EHP, and alleged that the efforts to purchase the shares were offered to several agencies, including FGV Holdings Bhd, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board and the Malaysian Rubber Board, before it was “forced” on Felda.

Rajawali declined to comment on the matter when contacted, while attempts to contact Felda went unanswered.