Settlers rally against Felda chairman

Settlers carry an effigy with a photo of Felda chairman, Tan Sri Isa Samad, on it. — Picture by Choo Choy May

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 — Over a thousand settlers today gathered at the national capital here to protest against Tan Sri Isa Samad, urging him to step down as the Federal Land Authority (FELDA) chairman, even as Felda Global Ventures Holding Bhd (FGVH) shares continued their weak performance.

The “Save Felda” rally led by the National Association of Felda Settlers’ Children (ANAK), marched to the Felda headquarters from the mosque at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) today after Friday prayers.

The rally participants chanted “Selamatkan Felda” (Save Felda) and “Undur Isa Samad” (Isa Samad back down”) as they carried an effigy with a photo of Isa Samad on it.

As the ANAK group approached the Felda headquarters, an anti-ANAK group comprising an estimated few hundred people standing about 50 metres away blocked their advance.

The two groups were each separated by rows of police, with the anti-ANAK group holding banners with messages against ANAK and association leader Mazlan Aliman such as “Mazlan Aliman gadai Felda untuk jadi YB” (Mazlan Aliman pawning Felda to be YB) and “Persatuan ANAK pengkhianat” (ANAK group (are) traitors”).

Scores of police separate an anti-ANAK group from the ANAK rally participants at the Felda headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, December 28, 2012. — Picture by Choo Choy May

The anti-ANAK group led by Wan Zawawi Wan Zain, also appeared to be pro-Barisan Nasional, as banners with the words “55 tahun Felda aman tanpa Pembangkang” (55 years Felda peaceful without the Opposition) and “I love PM” could also be seen.

Mazlan listed four demands in a memorandum — asking Isa to step down as FELDA chairman as well as urging a stop to political interference in FELDA and the alleged sale of palm oil to an Israeli company.

He also asked that Felda land be returned to the settlers, citing the precarious position of the 360,000 hectares of land due to the dismal performance of FGVH shares.

Six representatives from ANAK — including Mazlan, PAS MP Dr Hatta Ramli, PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub — later handed over the memorandum to Felda representatives.

Controversial figure R. Tangam was also seen hitting the effigy with Isa Samad’s likeness during the rally, where speeches were made by ANAK leaders even as the anti-ANAK group booed.

Both groups dispersed peacefully at around 3.30pm.

The “Save Felda” rally led by ANAK marched to the Felda headquarters from the mosque at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) today. — Picture by Choo Choy May