The government today denied allegations by Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim that the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) has deviated from its original purpose of eradicating poverty.
Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob told reporters in Putrajaya that Felda was encouraged to generate its own income and be more financially independent.
“Felda has never deviated from its original path. Felda, from the beginning, has been restructuring the community (by) providing land for Malays who had no land to boost their income, and others.
“When Felda engages in business, it does not mean that it is deviating from the original path. Felda, once upon a time, when it was formed, received a lot of financial assistance and support from the government,” said Ismail, as quoted by online portal Free Malaysia Today.
The Johor prince, in a posting on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page yesterday, accused Felda of taking money meant for the people to enrich contractors and high-ranking company officials.
“Felda was established by the late Abdul Razak Hussein to eradicate poverty. However, today, money meant for the settlers is being spent unnecessarily to enrich certain contractors within Felda and also allowing a few people holding high posts in Felda to make money.
“This is a clear case of taking money from the poor,” Tunku Ismail said in his posting.
Commenting further, he reiterated that Felda must now generate its own income, just like any other government agency.
“That is why we engage in businesses and other ventures.
“Felcra used to be fully funded by the government and the government (also) asked Felcra to generate its own income,” he said in reference to the Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority. - Mkini
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