Felda appoints former PKNS GM as new DG

KUALA LUMPUR: Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) has appointed Datuk Dr Othman Omar as its new director general.

Othman, 58, who was a former general manager of Selangor State Development Corp (PKNS), will be reporting to office on Oct 1.

He replaces Datuk Abd Ghani Mohd Ali, who has been with the Felda group for 37 years.

Othman headed Singapore-listed property developer Oxley Holdings Ltd's Malaysian operations from 2014 to 2016.

A civil engineer by training, Othman had previously served as general manager of PKNS for five years until his contract expired on Jan 31, 2018.

Under Othman’s watch, PKNS implemented a full open tender system in 2010, which resulted in savings of RM100mil a year.

He also inked integrity pacts with PKNS’ vendors and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, even as he sought to inject private-sector efficiency into the otherwise staid government-linked corporation (GLC).

He initiated a restructuring and transformation programme, which resulted in PKNs achieving debt-free status and surplus cash of RM380mil.