The Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) has pledged not to protect anyone in its ranks from facing the music should the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) find a case against them, The Star reported today.

"Absolutely nobody will be protected from prosecution arising from the investigation.

“I am extremely happy that MACC is receiving new information and hope it will assist MACC in its investigation into any corrupt acts and abuse of power in Felda," Felda chairperson Shahrir Abdul Samad was quoted as saying by the daily.

This came after MACC opened an investigation paper following a new lead received by the commission.

Its chief commissioner Dzulkifli Ahmad, however, did not provide further detail about the new probe.

MACC was probing Felda Global Ventures Holding Bhd (FGV) for the alleged corruption and abuse of power at the investment arm of Felda.

The FGV management crisis reached its peak when its group president and chief executive officer (CEO) Zakaria Arshad and the group chief financial officer Ahmad Tifli Mohd Talha, together with two other senior members of the management team, were suspended and given leave of absence on June 6 pending a probe of certain deals under Delima Oil Products Sdn Bhd, which is a subsidiary of FGV.

On June 7, the government appointed former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Idris Jala, to oversee the decision and to recommend a way forward for FGV.

On June 20, FGV announced the resignation of its chairperson Mohd Isa Abdul Samad, while the government in a separate statement announced the appointment of Sulaiman Mahbob as acting FGV chairperson with immediate effect.

Shahrir, who replaced Isa early this year, said Felda will give the fullest cooperation to MACC in its investigation.

He is hopeful that Felda could return to its former glory when it had been highly regarded by various stakeholders.