10/04/2012 (The Star) - Felda and Felda Global Ventures Holdings Berhad (FGVH) have joined a list of corporate bodies to sign an integrity pledge to eradicate corruption and promote good corporate governance and transparency.

The signing of the integrity pledge and the corporate integrity pact is to also ensure that Felda and FGVH uphold anti-corruption principles in their conduct of business.

Both parties endorsed anti-corruption values defined by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

Felda acting director-general Datuk Suhaimi Zainuddin signed the pledge on behalf of the organisation while FGVH group president Datuk Sabri Ahmad and MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abu Kassim Mohamed represented their respective organisations.

The signing was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Felda chairman Tan Sri Isa Samad and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Ahmad Maslan.

Isa said the country's palm oil industry was the fourth largest component of the national economy and had been identified as one of the 12 National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs) and had the potential to contribute significantly to Malaysia's long-term economic transformation as envisioned by the Prime Minister.

“The signing of the pledges commits Felda and FGVH to eradicating corruption and corrupt practices and promoting transparency and good governance at all levels.

“This will help both corporate entities to achieve sustainable business growth and long-term prosperity.

“Furthermore, the move to sign the integrity pact will boost confidence among local and foreign investors in the knowledge that both organisations are being managed at the highest level of accepted global standards of transparency and integrity,” Isa said after the ceremony yesterday.

Abu Kassim said the pact reflected the organisations' commitment to ensure matters related to procurement and revenue were dealt with according to laws and procedures.

“We are pleased that many government-linked companies and corporate bodies are signing the integrity pledge with the MACC.

“The commission will help Felda create awareness among its officers, contractors and suppliers to understand the importance to work according to the rule, without involving corruption and to uphold integrity.

“MACC will also recommend that Felda and business partners sign a commitment to support all anti-corruption efforts.

“This will further boost Felda's image as well as that of their suppliers and contractors,” he said.