However, the New Straits Times reported Azhar as saying he would consider helping if asked to do so.
“If I am asked to help, of course, I will consider as it concerns the welfare of Felda and its settlers,” he told the daily today.
This follows earlier reports that Azhar, who resigned as group managing director of Malakoff Corp Bhd yesterday, was tipped to be the new CEO of FGV.
The Edge Financial Daily quoted sources as saying Azhar was a good choice given his background in the plantation sector.
Azhar, a chartered accountant by training, was appointed MD of Malakoff Corp Bhd on May 1, 2016. Prior to that, he was the president and group MD of Tradewinds Corp Bhd, before relinquishing the position to be its chairman.
He has served in various capacities in companies such as the Malaysian Co-Operative Insurance Society Ltd, Pernas International Holdings Bhd, and Tractors Malaysia Holdings Bhd.
He was acting president and group CEO overseeing operations of the entire Sime Darby Group until August 2010 before joining Mass Rapid Transit Corp Sdn Bhd as its CEO in 2011. He served there until 2014.
On June 12, The Edge Malaysia weekly reported that Azhar was the frontrunner among three contenders for the post. It named Ismee Ismail, former managing director and CEO of Lembaga Tabung Haji, and Mohd Bakke Salleh, president and CEO of Sime Darby Bhd, as the other two possibilities.
Zakaria, along with three other senior executives, was suspended from duties on June 6 amid a probe into alleged irregularities in business dealings between Afghan company Safitex Trading LLC and FGV subsidiary Delima Oil Products Sdn Bhd.