PM: Certain quarters trying to spoil BN's Felda fixed deposit

 

JOHOR POLLS | Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today claimed there are certain quarters trying to “spoil” BN’s Felda fixed deposit by playing up issues affecting the settlers.

Ongoing campaigns for the Johor polls have seen both Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders targeting BN for alleged weaknesses in addressing Felda issues.

Speaking during a press conference at Felda Lok Heng Timur, Sedili, Ismail Sabri (above) said Felda settlers today are among the luckiest generation as they enjoy record-high commodity prices of up to RM8,000 per tonne for palm oil.

“The Felda issue is purposely being played up by certain quarters because like here in Kota Tinggi, I was made to understand 80 percent of voters are from Felda.

“Felda voters are majority Malays and Malay voters are generally loyal to BN. That is why Felda have been Umno’s fixed deposits all these years,” he said.

“That is why there are parties that try to poison the thoughts of Felda settlers and the second generation by playing up issues, which I regard as untrue.

“I come here today and I see that they did not fall for all these untrue issues,” said Ismail Sabri.

Among others, he elaborated on the federal and state governments’ plan to assist first-time homeowners among second-generation Felda settlers, offering 3,200 plots of state land to be sold and developed by individual buyers.

He said the project first announced under the 12th Malaysia Plan was in contrast to past schemes which saw houses built but left unsold due to issues including the inability of second-generation settlers to obtain a loan as they do not have a salary slip.

“The government has allocated RM60 million for infrastructure projects around the land plots, jointly borne by the federal and state governments,” said Ismail Sabri.

‘Announcement not because of polls’

Earlier, Ismail Sabri, together with National Unity Minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique, handed over RM4.2 million worth of grants to representatives from neighbourhood watch groups across Johor.

Also present were Felda chairperson Idris Jusoh and PR1MA chairperson Fathul Bari Mat Jahya, alongside various state officials and Umno leaders.

In his speech, Ismail Sabri also highlighted various new and previously announced incentives for Felda settlers, including new cellular towers to be built in Kota Tinggi - a parliamentary seat with a total of 29 Felda settlements.

Other incentives include RM10 million allocation to revive a youth entrepreneur fund, construction of a water treatment plant, as well as the appointment of Felda's Youth Council president to sit on Felda's board.

“These are old announcements but because today I came here in Felda, I’m mentioning it here.

“If I say it in Johor Bahru, the people there will not appreciate it. This is not because of elections,” said Ismail Sabri when quizzed about the matter later.

Ismail Sabri also credited both BN candidates in Kota Tinggi's state seats - Muszaidi Makmor (Sedili) and Norliza Noh (Johor Lama) - for being Felda natives who would best understand the needs of the voters. - Mkini