Thursday January 10, 2013
Court has Isa’s KPF membership struck out
By M. MAGESWARI
KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has ordered the membership of Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad in Koperasi Permodalan Felda Malaysia Bhd (KPF) be struck out.
Justice Zaleha Yusof granted a judicial review application by four settlers of Felda Jengka over a decision by the Dispute Resolution Panel of the Malaysian Cooperatives Commission (MCC) on May 23 last year, which deemed that Isa could remain a member of KPF.
Ruling the decision invalid, the judge allowed cost at RM3,000.
Speaking to reporters later, counsel Mohamad Hanipa Maidin, who represented the settlers, said the court had ordered KPF to delete Isa’s membership.
“The court has held that there was an error in the decision of MCC to retain the membership of Isa when he had no right to be a member of KPF.
“If his membership was valid, there is a possibility that he can be KPF chairman,” he said.
Under KPF by-laws, Hanipa said only Felda settlers, their wives, children and Felda permanent staff could be members.
“He did not fall into any category,” he added.
Abdul Talib Ali, Abdul Mubin Abdul Rahman, Abdul Razak Mohammad and Muhamad Noor Atan filed the judicial review application on June 12 last year naming the panel, MCC and KPF as respondents.
The settlers had sought a declaration that the decision by MCC and the panel in retaining Isa, who is the Bagan Pinang assemblyman and former Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar, as a KPF member was invalid and be struck out.
They also applied for an order to direct KPF to strike out Isa’s membership in KPF.
The settlers contended that Isa did not qualify to be a KPF member as he was not an employee appointed on a permanent basis by Felda.
Meanwhile, a Felda spokesman said the court’s decision did not affect Isa’s position as Felda chairman.