Bersatu struggling to win hearts in Umno stronghold Felda

Research shows that Umno-splinter party Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) is struggling to win over Felda settlers, especially those in Pahang, where the bulk of such settlements are located.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin previously claimed that the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) settlements could no longer be relied upon as Umno strongholds as opposition events in such areas have supposedly drawn large turnouts.

After spending more than two months in Pahang, independent research unit Ilham Centre’s executive director Hisommuddin Bakar and his team found instead that the issues brought forward by Bersatu had failed to resonate with the needs of the settlers there.

“We went down to seven Felda settlements in April and Bersatu’s presence was barely felt there.

“The issues settlers are suffering from are high personal debt, high replanting debt plus they aren’t sure if they will receive a grant for their land despite paying for it. They’re also worried about their children’s future.

“What the Opposition is championing is far from the needs and hopes of the settlers,” Hisommuddin said when met after the “Youth to boycott GE14?” forum at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) last night.

He said Bersatu, which has been focusing its efforts in Johor and Kedah, has much to do before any effect can be felt in Pahang, the state with one of the largest numbers of Felda settlements.

“Bersatu began its campaign in March this year, and it became more aggressive in May. Then, it stopped its campaigns during the fasting month and Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

“If you compare it to Anwar Ibrahim’s Jelajah Merdeka Rakyat programme (in 2012), where he went down to the settlements every single night at rally after rally after rally, Harapan’s current pace is too slow.

“For me, as a researcher, the Bersatu campaign has yet to arrive at a point where a tsunami can happen,” Hisommuddin explained.

He argued that Felda votes would continue to be a “fixed deposit” for the ruling coalition, especially after Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced a slew of new incentives, worth more than RM1.6 billion, for the settlers last month.

“The six incentives by the prime minister answer to the real wants of the people, compared to the opposition’s promises. It is the best offer so far, although the discounts are small,” Hisommuddin said.

The incentives, which will benefit 94,956 settlers, include a RM5,000 payout, a special replanting grant of RM7,500, writing off the replanting debts, writing off Felda Global Ventures (FGV) equity loans and building approvals for more than one house to be built on one plot of land.

Najib, who hails from Pahang and is Pekan MP, had earlier announced an RM500 Hari Raya incentive for settlers and a bonus for Felda workers, but stressed that those who had taken Felda to court or refused to sell their produce to the agency would not be receiving it. - Mkini