Settlers have alternative plan to stop FGV from falling to third party

KUALA TERENGGANU: A proposal paper on an alternative plan to save FGV Holdings Berhad (FGV) from falling into the hands of a third party is now being prepared by various professionals, especially the settlers, said Majlis Permuafakatan NGO Felda (MPNF) chairman Mazlan Aliman.

He said those involved were former FGV senior officers who would provide a plan apart from selling the shares of FGV following its poor financial performance and the mountains of debts incurred by the company.

He said when the proposed paper is ready soon, it would be presented to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“We are appealing to the government to consider the proposed paper which would be submitted soon.

“If the government can consider the proposal of a third party, purportedly by Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, why not consider a proposal by the settlers of Felda?” he said when met by reporters at the presentation of Farmers’ Organisation Authority (LPP) Flood Contributions at Agro Resort in Permaisuri near here today.

Commenting further, Mazlan, who is also LPP chairman, said the government needed to consider carefully before making a decision to sell the company to third parties as there is no guarantee that FGV will be managed well and will return to profitability.

In fact, he said if the situation worsened under the new management, it would certainly have a devastating impact on the interests and community of Felda.

“As such, at the onset of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government’s victory, I have insisted that FGV be returned to Felda.

“Nonetheless, I was disappointed as more than a year has gone by and despite the tabling of a Felda White Paper, we have not received any feedback from the government on the matter as demanded.

“I see the move (handing over to a third party) as being unwise. As such, we are formulating a plan to resolve the problem,” he said.

In another development, Mazlan said LPP was cooperating closely with the Agriculture Department to prepare a report and assess the areas affected by floods in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor.

According to him, when the report is processed, LPP will channel the assistance to the victims in the affected areas within three months.

“We have not obtained the full data for all affected areas as some areas such as Johor, Selangor and Sabah are still flooded.

“However, for school uniform assistance, I have directed local LPPs to give priority to help farmers with back-to-school aid of RM150 each,” he said. - FMT