Raja Idris Raja Kamarudin replaces Umno’s Jerantut MP Ahmad Nazlan Idris, whose tenure ended on April 14. Plantation industries and commodities minister Khairuddin Aman Razali said in a statement today that the appointment took effect from April 15.

“Among the mandates that have been entrusted to Raja Idris is to restructure the direction of the properties owned by the agency and resolve the outstanding issues involving five facilities in Sungai Buloh, which have been delayed since a few years ago.

“He also has to draw up a new strategic plan for MRB as well as LGM Properties Corporation (LGMPC), a subsidiary company that manages the properties, including plantations owned by the board,” he said.

Khairuddin said as a corporate figure who had led Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Bhd and TDM Bhd, a subsidiary of the Terengganu state government, Raja Idris’s appointment is expected to bring MRB better and professional management, with full integrity and transparency.

As for the vacant chairman’s post in the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) following the resignation of Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub, the deputy secretary-general (plantation and commodities) of the ministry has been appointed as the interim chairman.

Khairuddin said former MRB chairman Nazlan had rejected the offer of MPOB chairman to replace Jazlan.