Felda ‘goodies’ no guarantee of govt support from younger settlers, says group

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a host of initiatives for Felda settlers last Friday.

PETALING JAYA: The “goodies” for Felda announced last week do not guarantee the support of the younger generation of settlers for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, says a group representing the settlers’ children.

National Felda Settlers’ Children Association (Anak) adviser Mazlan Aliman said although many were relieved that the government will be writing off the settlers’ RM8.3 billion debt, there was still more to be done to convince the youth to support the unity government.

Last Friday, Anwar said the government will continue to issue up to RM1 billion in sukuk to Felda annually for the next 10 years to “safeguard its survival”, an initiative introduced by the Muhyiddin Yassin administration in 2021.

At an event celebrating Felda Settlers Day in Serdang, Anwar also announced that the government will give RM300 in special health incentives for settlers aged 65 and above. He said this will benefit 70,715 settlers and involves an allocation of RM21.21 million.

Among the other initiatives announced were the construction of 12 haemodialysis centres in Felda areas at a cost of RM21 million, a RM36 million a year allocation to subsidise diesel for Felda settlers in Sabah, and RM7 million per year to repair and maintain street lights in Felda schemes.

However, Mazlan said it was concerning that there was no explanation on succession plans for second to fifth-generation Felda settlers to lead the Federal Land Development Authority.

“As the contracts of the chairman and CEO of Felda will be expiring within the next two years, there should be a leadership transition from among the Felda community itself rather than external leaders,” he told FMT.

Suara Generasi Baru Felda (SGBF) chairman Rashid Ridha Muhamad said the government must strive to increase the income of settlers as many were in the B40.

“The settlers are not surprised by the initiatives, such as dialysis centres and street lights, as these are already the responsibilities of the governing authorities,” he said. - FMT