Unity Govt to give attention and empower Felda and settlers - PM

BENTONG - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim gave his assurance that the Unity Government will continue to empower and give the best attention to Felda and its settlers.

He said the issues raised by the group including infrastructure problems such as street lights, internet access, village clinics and dialysis centres would be addressed as soon as possible.

Anwar said he had asked Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Felda chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek to help facilitate and speed up the process of overcoming the problems faced in the settlement.

"I also told the other ministers to do the same (work). The Education Minister, the Health Minister... everything has to be coordinated so that within a year or two, we give better attention and the best we have ever done.

"This is my commitment. I want the ministries to be involved and I will mention this in the Cabinet meeting," he said while speaking at Karnival Segalanya Felda at Felda Chemomoi Business Square here today.

Also present were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, National Felda Settlers head Sulong Jamil Mohamad Shariff and Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for Pelangai state by-election Datuk Amizar Abu Adam.

Anwar in the 2023 Felda Settlers' Day celebration in July announced several initiatives and incentives to raise the quality of life and welfare of Felda settlers, among the Rahmah Health Contribution (SKR) which involves an allocation of RM21.21 million, the construction of a hemodialysis centre with an allocation of RM21 million and expenses for the cost of operating street lights with a financial implication of RM7.7 million per year.

In the meantime, Anwar also gave his commitment to continue supporting the Pahang government's efforts to help Felda settlers.

"Pahang has the largest Felda area and its Menteri Besar is an example of carrying out work, not just making promises. Much has been implemented including second generation houses because the land is under the jurisdiction of the state government and we (the federal government) will complement the assistance.

"But politics has to be stable so that investment can come and the people must welcome what we do. If you want to reprimand, criticize or suggest, we can accept it. But don't swear, curse, insult or argue. There's no need for that," he said.

Earlier, Wan Rosdy in his speech said the state government was committed to settler issues including land, which saw 95 per cent of the 43,126 settlers in the state receive their land title deeds.

Besides, the state government also allocated RM200 million to complete the abandoned Felda New Generation Housing Project in Pahang. - BERNAMA