Felda settlers in Camerons pine for good old BN days

CAMERON POLLS | Some Felda settlers in the Cameron Highlands parliamentary constituency lament their fortunes as oil palm smallholders and are a little sceptical that the new government could turn things around.

This was expressed by some 200 settlers who attended a function hosted by Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali at Felda Sungai Koyan 2 yesterday.

During his speech, Azmin promised that the new Pakatan Harapan government will table a white paper in Parliament in March which will help resolve Felda's woes.

"We are studying all options and methods because the problems we inherited (from BN) are big and complicated problems. Felda's debt is RM8 billion.

"We don't want to just talk about Felda's financial problems. We want to table (a plan) to Felda settlers on the revival of the scheme," he said.

Azmin also said that Felda will be introducing new technology to improve yield plus training for the children of Felda settlers to help them prosper outside the plantations.

But most settlers present who spoke to Malaysiakini are not getting their hopes up.

Che Pon Abdul Samad, who is in her 70s, said her income from her smallholding was higher during the time of BN's administration of the country compared to now.

"If there is (improvement in our income), then that's good. But we can't trust (the new government) 100 percent because they are new.

"When BN was in power, (our lives) were not difficult. Now, my monthly bills alone come up to RM700," she said, adding that her income from her smallholding was currently only about RM1,400 a month.

Challenges for Harapan

Similarly, Rohani Hashim, also in her 70s, spoke fondly of how she liked Felda when it was run by Umno politician Shahrir Samad.

"During the time of his predecessor (Isa Samad), it was tough. Things got worse. People didn't like (him). When he held (the top post), things went bad," said Rohani.

Rohani said she was sceptical about Azmin's claim that new technology could help improve their yield to around 18 to 20 tonnes per hectare in the near future.

"Usually, we get about 10 to 11 tonnes per hectare, 13 tonnes at the most," she said.

The feelings of these settlers perhaps underscore some of the challenges faced by Harapan in penetrating Felda settlements in the Cameron Highlands parliamentary constituency since settlers expect the government to be responsible for commodity prices.

There are three settlements in the constituency known respectively as Felda Sungai Koyan 1, 2 and 3. Azmin, in his speech, said there were about 900 settlers altogether.

It is understood that Felda Sungai Koyan 2 and 3 comprise of Felda settlers who once served with the armed forces.

During the 14th general election last year, voters in Felda Sungai Koyan 2 and 3 mostly voted for the PAS candidate with the BN candidate trailing closely. Harapan candidate M Manogaran came a distant third. Manogaran is contesting the parliamentary seat for the third time.

Cameron Highland voters will go to the polls on Jan 26. Nomination day is today. -Mkini