Govt initiative to revive abandoned Felda housing projects can retain young settlers

KUALA TERENGGANU - The government’s initiative to revive the abandoned Felda New Generation Housing (PGBF) project is seen as an effective way to stem the migration of young people from the settlements.

Head of settlers in Felda Seberang Tayor in Kemaman, Alimun Daud, 62, said in the past few years most young people moved away to find work and very few chose to carry on their family legacy.

He said the abandoned housing project in the settlement was one of the main reasons for the migration, which has jeopardised operations at the oil palm plantations.

"The first-generation settlers in Felda Seberang Tayor have mostly passed away. The issue we face now is that our youngsters prefer to find work outside.

"In my opinion, the completion of the second-generation housing project, which was abandoned in 2013, can indirectly retain them here,” he told Bernama.

Elaborating on the decade-old issue, Alimun said that in 2013, Felda Seberang Tayor received good news about the 125-unit housing project for the second generation settlers.

However, just as all the materials had been received and construction was about to start the area was hit by floods, submerging the site.

"The project was abandoned due to the severe floods. So far, not even a single pillar has been raised, despite several changes in the government.

"Of course, we are happy to hear the Prime Minister’s (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) announcement of the housing projects revival. We hope Felda Seberang Tayor is on the list too,” he said.

Anwar, at the national-level Felda Settlers Day 2023 celebration on July 7, announced that the government will allocate funds to immediately complete the balance of the 283 Felda new-generation housing units for the welfare of the settlers.

Meanwhile, head of settlers in Felda Neram 1 in Kemaman, Abd Aziz Ibrahim, 57, said although all the houses in his area were completed last year, he hoped the government could consider providing additional units to attract more youths to stay on at the settlement.

"We have 105 housing units but not enough. If the government can add another 100 units it will be enough.

"Felda Neram 1 is near the Gebeng (Kuantan, Pahang) industrial zone, about 20 minutes away. Many residents from here commute to work there,” he said.

"There are two groups of youths here. Those who choose to work in Gebeng and those who are still interested in cultivating their family-owned oil palm plantations,” he said. - BERNAMA