KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 (Bernama) -- Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed is confident Felda Global Venture Holdings (FGV)'s management would be able to reap good returns for settlers now that the conglomerate has been listed on Bursa Malaysia.

He said the share's opening price of RM5.39 with a premium of 84 sen, over its offer price of RM4.55, proved that the company's shares had the potential to appreciate further and accrue handsome returns for unit holders.

"The next thing is to manage it well...if management is efficient, we will see Felda settlers enjoying satisfactory returns," he told reporters after delivering a keynote speech at a seminar on "Politics and Business -- the Malaysian Connection" here today.

Dr Mahathir was a panellist at the seminar organised by Affin Investment Bank Bhd.

Tun Mahathir also criticised some unit holders who disposed their shares for quick gains.

"That's disastrous, that's why we established Permodalan Nasional Bhd before.

"But, if they understand and realise the benefit, they would not sell but keep the shares for long-term gains," Dr Mahathir said.