A deputation of 16 settlers from the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) settlement in Jengka, Pahang have registered a formal complaint with the Co-operatives Commission Malaysia (CCM) against the agency chief’s membership in its investment co-operative, KPF.

Their complaint was heard by a three-member CCM complaints review panel at the commission’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

The lawyer representing the group, Mohd Nizam Ramli, said their complaint was made on the basis of Article 11 of KPF’s by-laws which limits the membership to settlers, their kin and Felda or KPF employees.

Isa’s appointment as a KPF member, he argues, violates the said by-laws as the Felda chief failed to fulfill the membership requirements.

“We have informed the panel that Isa does not fulfill the requirements,” Mohd Nizam said, adding that he is confident that the panel will move to revoke Isa’s membership as the provisions of the bylaws are clear.

“We are confident, our victory is certain, as he does not qualify (to be a member).”

The panel, he said, shall announce its decision soon.

Isa has been moving to take control of KPF, by having himself made a member and then chairperson, soon after he was appointed as Felda chief, allegedly displacing long-serving officers who do not see things his way.

Some have equated his actions to a power grab.

Disagreements over the status of Isa’s KPF membership have been long-standing and were once part of the tussle over the listing of Felda subsidiary Felda Global Ventures Holdings (FGVH).

KPF members backed by the opposition have moved to derail the listing, alleging that it will sideline the cooperative which is the majority shareholder in FGVH.

They have also filed injunctions in court to stay the listing process as they continue to attack Felda and the government over the matter.

The impasse was broken when Isa and the government decided to go on with the listing without KPF’s involvement.

However, sparks continue to fly over Isa’s status as a co-operative member and self-declared chairperson.