Die-hard BN supporters in Felda moving to PH, says don

UUM professor says charging Isa Samad is not good enough, as Felda settlers fear that the losses from property investments won’t be recovered.

PETALING JAYA: A political analyst says the government has to take quick measures to win back the trust of Felda settlers as even some “die-hard supporters of Barisan Nasional” are now moving towards Pakatan Harapan.

Universiti Utara Malaysia’s Institute for Malaysian Political Analysis (Mapan) director Prof Kamarul Zaman Yusoff said sentiments among Felda settlers might put BN in a tricky position at the moment.

“Felda settlers are trying to make sure their voices are being heard. Settlers, who were previously known to be die-hard supporters of BN, are now moving towards Pakatan Harapan,” he told FMT.

He said due to that, charging former Felda chairman Mohd Isa Samad was not good enough as Felda settlers feared the government might fail to recover losses made from property investments.

“If they are just going to charge him (Isa), then it is not good enough because charging him might not bring back the losses. Charging someone is only part of how to gain back the trust of voters.

“They need to make sure substantive measures are taken to alleviate whatever fear Felda settlers have. The losses faced by Felda and by the settlers must be resolved,” he said.

Isa was arrested on Tuesday by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating Felda Investment Corporation’s (FIC) purchase of hotels in London and Kuching.

He was arrested when he went to the MACC headquarters to have his statement recorded. Yesterday, the MACC obtained an order to hold Isa for five days on remand to assist in their investigation.

Kamarul said charging Isa was a big move and would help settlers gain more confidence in the government.

“This is based on the close relationship he has with the prime minister.”

He said it also reflected the independence of the MACC and would boost confidence as it showed the impartiality of the government in the matter.

“There must be no cover-up. Charging him is one thing but identifying the mistakes he has done while he was in charge of Felda is another.”

Rectify mistakes to recover losses

Kamarul said rectifying the mistakes was crucial.

He advised the government to take drastic measures to gain back the trust of settlers, starting off with being transparent in Felda’s dealings.

Secondly, he said the chairman must not be a political appointee or hold any positions in any political party.

“When you bring someone with political interest into such an important position, he will lean towards the political side.

“He might also use his position to fulfil his political ambitions or for his political party,” he pointed out.

It was time for Felda to have a chairman with a corporate background and one who was sincere in developing Felda, he said, adding that there were many such capable corporate leaders.

“Make the chairman independent and responsible to the Felda settlers.”

Felda settlers have in the past been strong BN supporters. Due to that, they are seen as a fixed deposit for votes.

The next general election needs to be held by August next year. - FMT