KUALA LUMPUR (March 2): Plantation group FGV Holdings Bhd has announced the appointment of Datuk Abu Huraira Abu Yazid as its non-independent non-executive chairman, effective March 2, 2026.

Abu Huraira takes over from Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa, who has held the role for over two years since September 2023.

Abu Huraira currently also serves as chairman of MISC Bhd (KL:MISC), Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia (PIDM), Human Resource Development Corporation (HRDCorp), AET Pte Ltd, and the Malaysian Maritime Academy Sdn Bhd.

"His wealth of experience and proven track record in corporate leadership, governance and stakeholder engagement will be instrumental in guiding FGV through its next phase of growth and transformation," said FGV in a statement. 

The new leadership appointment comes months after changes in FGV, where Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was on Jan 16 appointed as the the minister responsible both for the plantation group and its shareholder, the Federal Land Development Authority, or Felda. FGV itself was privatised in 2025 by Felda through its second attempt, after a failed bid in 2020. 

The Business Times, on Feb 27, reported that FGV's group CEO Datuk Fakhrunniam Othman had submitted his resignation to Zahid, quoting sources.

FGV, in its statement, said Abu Huraira "brings with him 50 years of experience across diverse industries, including financial services, logistics, social security, rehabilitation, oil and gas, and manpower development. 

"With strong expertise in banking operations, risk management and financial governance, he has held various senior positions in Malaysia’s financial institutions," it said. 

A graduate with a Bachelor of Economics in Business Management from the University of Malaya, he also previously served served as chairman of the Social Security Organisation (Sosco), chairman of Pusat Rehabilitasi PERKESO Sdn Bhd and executive director of Pos Malaysia Bhd (KL:POS).