21/11/2012 (The Star) -  The Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) is still looking for a suitable candidate to succeed current chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Mamat Salleh, whose term will expire at end of next month.

A source close to the association said three candidates had been identified so far including Incorporated Society of Planters Malaysia CEO Azizan Abdullah and two former Malaysian Palm Oil Board officials.

“The search for the new CEO actually started four to five months back, but, until now, we are still trying to get a younger and dynamic candidate to occupy this hot seat.

“Should the 17-council members of MPOA fail to pick a suitable candidate by year-end, it will likely appoint MPOA administration and finance director Ravindranath G. Menon as acting CEO,” the source told StarBiz yesterday.

The 130-member MPOA can be best described as the single largest integrated voice that represents the private plantation industry in Malaysia including United Plantations Bhd, Sime Darby Bhd, IOI Corp Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd and Felda Group.

Ideally, the successor to Mamat must have years of experience in the palm oil sector and be a good spokesman to represent the association both at the domestic and international levels, the source added.

Mamat has more than 35 years experience in various semi-government agencies and the plantation industry.

During his career, he has worked with the Urban Development Authority, National Livestock Development Authority, Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority and Palm Oil Registration and Licensing Authority.

His last post prior to joining MPOA was MPOB deputy director-general. Mamat is also an executive board member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

The previous MPOA CEOs included prominent industry consultant and RSPO adviser M.R Chandran and Malaysian Agrifood Corp Bhd CEO Azizi Meor Ngah.

The current MPOA chairman is Sime Darby group chief operating officer Datuk Abd Wahab Maskan while the vice-chairman is Boon Weng Siew. Their term will expire by March 2014.

Given a host of issues and challenges facing the palm oil industry, the source said MPOA would need to step up its role.

This included better representation at both the domestic and international levels, lobbying the interests and needs of the industry, providing long-term strategic direction, shaping R&D policies and supporting national marketing efforts.

MPOA also serves the interests of other crops such as rubber, cocoa, tea and non-crop issues relating to land, labour, trade and pricing besides focusing on oil palm.

Of the total five million ha planted with oil palm in Malaysia, three million ha belong to the estate group and two million ha to smallholders.

The MPOA members' hectarage represented about 70% of the three million ha under the estate group nationwide.