Sime Darby Plantation executive deputy chairman and managing director Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh(pic), said the group will collaborate with relevant autorities to facilitate MSPO certification for smallholders who supply fresh fruit bunches to its mills.
KUALA LUMPUR: Former 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) chairman Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh had resigned from the fund’s board in 2009 as soon as it was discovered that the company’s management had transferred out US$1bil following a deal Abu Dhabi’s International Petroleum Investment Co (IPIC) without the knowledge of the board of directors.
This had earned him praises from many.
In defending Mohd Bakke’s recent appointment as chairperson of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok said that Mohd Bakke is a man of integrity who can bring the palm oil industry to greater heights.
She said while it was true that Mohd Bakke was the chairman of 1MDB, he had quit from fund due to improprieties in the company where controversial money transfers were kept out of the knowledge of the board of directors.
“He openly expressed utter disgust against the dealings of 1MDB when testifying during the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearings in 2016 as reported in the media,” she said in a statement in response to former senator
Ezam Md Noor who questioned Mohd Bakke’s appointment to MPOB.
“Mohd Bakke is a man of integrity. He is a respected corporate figure with vast experience in the palm oil industry and the country will gain from his leadership and experience to bring the industry to greater heights. His contribution
is also acknowledged by industry players who reacted positively to his appointment,” said Kok.
“I have full faith in Mohd Bakke’s ability to steer the MPOB in the right direction as the Government increases its efforts to counter the anti-palm oil campaign against our commodity, as well as improve our palm oil industry’s performance.
“I am confident he will carry out his new role in MPOB with full commitment and dedication,” she added.
Bakke first resigned as 1MDB chairman on April 7, 2009. He was reappointed but left his post once again on Oct 11, 2009 after the fund’s management did not adhere to his directives.
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