KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 22): The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) says it no longer has any stake in Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV), as it assures members that the EPF practises high standards of corporate governance in its investments, with robust policies on risk control and asset allocation.
"In line with these best practices, we have been closely monitoring the equity performance of FGV over the years and have gradually sold down our shareholding. As of today, the EPF no longer holds any shares in FGV," the retirement fund said in a statement today.
The fund also confirmed that the RM6.5 billion loan taken by Felda Holdings Bhd (Felda) is not in default, adding that Felda continues to service the loan in accordance to the agreed terms and conditions.
"We urge EPF members to verify the facts with the EPF and not be misled by comments made in the social and online media," added the fund.
The statement issued today came following a blog post dated Dec 14, which has been widely circulated on social media, that questioned whether Felda would be able to pay off its RM6.5 billion loan from EPF, which was taken in 2010.
The author also compared FGV to troubled investment fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), which has raked up billions of ringgit of debt in just a few years of operation and is in the midst of allegations of financial mismanagement that has sparked related money laundering investigations in several countries.
Second Finance Minister Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani recently said the government will "run off 1MDB", adding that this meant the strategic investment fund, the brainchild of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, will not be undertaking anymore business activity.