“To be frank, if you are used to working in plantations, it is a norm but maybe his method is unsuitable with the approach we apply (in the corporate world) nowadays.
“But whatever it is, we are not saying that we are right,” he said at a press conference at Wisma Felcra.
He was referring to a viral video on social media recently which showed chief operating officer Khairi Mahamor scolding plantation workers on the disposal of used fertiliser bags while holding a stick.
Khairi then went on to reprimand those who supervised the workers for failing to explain how the job should be done.
“Explain! Do not only sit in your office!” Khairi was heard shouting in the video.
Nageeb said Khairi could have shouted at the workers because he was passionate about making changes.
He said he did not view the incident as a serious matter, pointing out that Khairi had refrained from profanity in the incident.
“He (Khairi) was just mad at his staff,” said Nageeb.
Nageeb said Khairi’s action would be discussed at the board of directors meeting and an internal decision would be made.
EU palm oil ban
Meanwhile, Nageeb said he and other plantation groups were concerned with the European Union Parliament’s decision to classify palm oil as a cause of deforestation.
He said Felcra, the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda), Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) and The National Association of Smallholders Malaysia (NASH) were worried palm oil for biofuel use could be banned by 2020.
“This will have a big effect on the uptake of palm oil and will definitely affect the income of smallholders who are already suffering because of low-prices,” said Nageeb.
He said the groups had decided to request assistance from the government and that among their suggestions to the government was that Putrajaya should postpone the EU free trade agreements until the EU palm oil ban issue was resolved.
“Until a decision is made by Europe, we ask the government to stall all negotiations on any contracts or business dealings with Europe.”
Saying a ban would affect the livelihood of about 650,000 people who earn a living from palm oil, Nageeb added: “It is not about business but about the lives of many people.”