Good news awaits Felda settlers

Prime Minister expected to announce a slew of measures to be undertaken by the government to help reduce the financial burden of Felda settlers.

PUTRAJAYA: Good news awaits the Felda community with Prime Minister Najib Razak expected to announce, among others, measures to be taken by the government to help reduce the financial burden of settlers.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Razali Ibrahim said the government would continue with efforts to help ease their financial burden in appreciation of their contributions to the country’s development.

“It is done all the time for the good of the settlers,” he said in an interview with Bernama News Channel in conjunction with the Felda Settlers’ Day celebrations to be held in Putrajaya from July 21 to 23.

He said he hoped all quarters, specifically the opposition, would not take a negative view on the initiatives carried out by the government to help the settlers.

Razali said Felda had disbursed RM3.8 million since 2003 until this year in terms of incentive and bonus payments to settlers.

These included a Hari Raya incentive, settlers’ productivity bonus, dividends obtained by Felda from its shares in Felda Global Ventures (FGV) and a windfall payment of RM5,000 in each category for every household.

Speaking about the weekend’s celebrations, Razali said the success and achievements of the children of Felda settlers would be displayed on a massive scale during the event.

This year’s celebration will be the biggest so far, he said, adding that various activities would also be held, including a sales carnival, an exhibition and performances by artistes from the various Felda land schemes. -FMT