Controversial former Negri Sembilan chief minister Isa Samad is in the news again over possible abuse of power. Now the Felda chairman, Isa recently appointed himself the new head of the sprawling land agency's co-operative unit, Koperasi Permodalan Felda Berhad or KPF.

The appointment raised eyebrows because Isa will be replacing Felda director-general Dzulkifli Abd Wahad at KPF. Settlers say Dzulkifli has beeing doing a good job for KPF, which is on the list of the 10 most successful cooperatives in the country. It won the Anugerah Koperasi Cemerlang (Kluster Besar) in 2011.

There is also unhappiness because of Isa's own personal track record. The Umno leader and Bagan Pinang assemblyman is considered a political appointee and his suspension for money politics from Umno several years ago have prompted concerns that he may put his personal and party interests ahead of the settlers'.

"KPF is owned by the settlers and for them, the leadership of the KPF chairman, Datuk Dzulkifli Abd Wahad, should not have been changed because throughout his leadership, KPF was never at a loss and it was even successful to give a 15 per cent dividend last year," PAS information chief Tuan Ibrahim said in a statement.

Ultra-vires?

According to Pakatan Rakyat leaders, Isa's appointment was suspicious because it was against the Cooperatives Acts, Regulations and Laws, which states that such appointments must be conducted at a general meeting and not just at a board meeting. They want his appointment to be revoked.

Isa had appointed himself during a board meeting at the end of Ramadan. Furthermore, KPF only accepts settlers and Felda staff as members and although Isa is chairman of the main Felda body, he is not considered an eligible staff for KPF membership.

As such, he is not qualified to become a KPF member, let alone be its chairman, said Tuan Ibrahim. "Isa is only appointed for a certain period of time and not a KPF officer is not qualified to become a member," Tuan Ibrahim added.

Support letter from Najib

According to the PAS leader Ibrahim, who lives in the Felda Jengka area in Pahang area, Isa's justification for his self-appointment was based on a support letter from Prime Minister Najib Razak.

What the Felda settlers found more insulting, he said, was that the appointment was made when Dzulkifli was not in the country.

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Isa Samad makes his move but Felda settlers call for his removal as co-op chief
6 October 2011 – Malaysia Chronicle