KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 17): Former TH Plantations Bhd (KL:THPLANT) chief executive officer Mohamed Zainurin Mohamed Zain has filed a complaint of unfair dismissal with the Industrial Relations Department (IRD) against the plantation group under Lembaga Tabung Haji.

Zainurin, 58, is seeking reinstatement after he was removed from his post on Aug 26, following allegations of unauthorised payments of RM5.1 million to plantation workers.

The IRD has fixed a "reconciliation session" between Zainurin and TH Plantations on Oct 30, according to a statement issued by Zainurin's lawyer, Marwan Abdullah, on Wednesday.

The group had earlier issued show-cause letters to both him and chief financial officer Marliyana Omar. Marliyana, 44, resigned immediately after receiving her letter, while Zainurin was placed on garden leave until his termination.

The former CEO, however, had maintained his innocence against the company's claim of misconduct.

He also argued that the actual sum paid was RM3.63 million, which he described as ex-gratia and salary arrears that were made within his authority to ensure "industrial harmony" between workers in Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia. He also stressed that he did not derive any personal gain from the payments.

Following his termination, TH Plantations’ operations are being overseen by a board executive committee formed in July, led by chairman Datuk Dr Ahmad Kushairi Din. Other members include directors Kasmuri Sukardi, Nor Adila Ismail and chief operating officer Alikamal Abu Hassan.

TH Plantations' share price slipped half a sen or 0.94% to close at 52.5 sen on Wednesday, giving it a market value of RM464.02 million.

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