PM: Felda to receive RM1b yearly over next 10 years

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government will channel up to RM1 billion a year, for the next 10 years, to Felda as part of the agency's debt restructuring efforts.

Addressing thousands of settlers gathered for the annual Felda Settlers Day celebration, Anwar said the allocation will be used to continue repayment of Felda’s sukuk debt that had been previously deferred.

"Today, with support from the cabinet, I announce that I have approved funds worth nearly RM1 billion a year for the next 10 years to Felda.

"This is to ensure the sustainability of Felda as an institutional giant in our country," Anwar said during the function held at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park, Serdang, today.

Last week, the Finance Ministry in a statement said that the government has agreed to restructure Felda's debts through the issuance of sukuk and revolving credit.

Meanwhile, Anwar, who is also finance minister, announced a list of other allocations and assistance for the "Felda family" under the agency's management led by its new chairperson, Umno's former minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

For the younger generation, the prime minister announced that Felda, through cooperation with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), will be pioneering the "Digital Madani" programme, to be carried out at 30 Digital Economic Centres nationwide, aimed at strengthening the gig economy landscape.

He also pledged to resolve the long-standing issue of housing for new generations of Felda settlers, including allocating funds for the completion of 283 abandoned units.

On health issues, Anwar announced an allocation of RM21 million to open 12 new haemodialysis centres at all Felda territories, and another at the Felda Foundation building in Kelana Jaya, Selangor.

Additionally, he said the government will introduce a special Rahmah health contribution of RM300 each, with a total allocation of RM21.21 million for 70,715 settlers aged 65 and above.

Anwar added that Felda settlers in Sabah have not been forgotten with RM36 million diesel subsidy allocation to power electricity and water treatment, set to benefit more than 43,000 people.

Aside from the role played by Felda's management, Anwar today said he has empowered Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also rural and regional development minister, to use his ministry's resources to help settlers nationwide.

"This is the level of my trust in my friend (Zahid).

"I have given him the discretion, because he has a large ministry in terms of budget, jurisdictions and resources," said Anwar.

Also present during the function were caretaker Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari and National Felda Settlers chief Sulong Jamil Mohamed Shariff, together with over 10,000 settlers, including those from Sabah. - Mkini