Azmin: No duit raya for Felda settlers, gov't focusing on the long term

Unlike recent years, Felda settlers are not likely to receive allocations from the government this Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

This is as the Pakatan Harapan administration intends to focus its resources on reviving the embattled agency through its previously announced RM6.23 billion rescue plan.

This was revealed by Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali when asked by the media tonight.

"As of now, we do not have (plans to distribute Hari Raya allocations) because we want to channel money to the Cost of Living Loans and Advance from Yield schemes first.

"I met with Felda last week. We want to ensure that all the money must be channelled before Hari Raya,” he said after attending an iftar event at the Surau Jabal Nur in Taman Seri Gombak.

The government previously allocated RM2 billion for the two schemes.

Elaborating, Azmin said the government will prioritise long-term measures to fix Felda.

"It is already a challenge for the government to come up with RM6.23 billion, given our debts.

"We do not want to spend money (on things) which will not benefit Felda settlers.

"We will give priority to sustainable, long-term solutions, and not on piecemeal, unhelpful measures," he said.

The Felda White Paper tabled in Parliament last month revealed that the agency was RM12.1 billion in debtas of 2017.

[More to follow] - Mkini