Felda to sell assets, restructure loans and boost cash flow to reduce debts

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's state oil palm plantation agency said yesterday it will sell assets, including property in London, restructure some loans and try to boost cash flow in a bid to trim debts.
Tan Sri Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor, who took over as chairman of the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) in July, said he aimed to reduce debt by nearly 20% from RM8.03 billion at mid-2018 to RM6.5 billion by year-end.
Felda was set up to settle oil palm farmers, who work for the agency, and also has a one-third stake in Felda Global Ventures Bhd, the world's largest crude palm oil producer.
In recent years it has diversified into property, including hotels, both locally and overseas, but has been plagued by issues of poor management and allegations of corruption.
Megat Zaharuddin said the property assets to be sold had cost RM2.1 billion-RM2.2 billion, but declined to put an estimate on their current value.
Felda flagged the property sales last year when it trimmed its stake in Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank), Malaysia's biggest lender by assets, to raise about RM280 million.
"One thing to tackle is Felda's cash flow. Due to the lack of cash flow, we could not pay what we should have to the settlers," said Megat Zaharuddin, adding that a loan restructuring would improve short-term cash flow and offer "a bit of a lifeline."
Megat Zaharuddin, a former Maybank chairman, said Felda was studying how best to resolve its problems, without elaborating.
"I've been in many turnaround situations before, big and small. This is big. The turnaround of Felda will need a minimum of two years," he said.
Felda also needed to improve its oil palm productivity to increase earnings, said Megat Zaharuddin.
"Our fresh fruit bunch productivity at Felda is above the national average of 20 tonnes per hectare, but we are not yet best in class," he said, citing 24 tonnes per hectare as the target.
Megat Zaharuddin took over as chairman of Felda after his predecessor Tan Sri Shahrir Samad resigned in in the wake of the shock outcome of the 14th general election in May. – Reuters