PM: Felda needs to become an economic powerhouse

JASIN: The Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) needs to take steps to become an economic powerhouse in its efforts to generate higher profit for the settlers, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

He said Felda is currently actively implementing phase two of its development after having enjoyed various successes in phase one due to the sweat and tears of the earlier settlers.

“We are opening a new book, new strategies to make Felda an excellent community; we place FGV (Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd); we list the shares on the market; we rake in additional capital resources.

“Make Felda an economic powerhouse or a powerful economic body; this is the essence; this is our phase two strategy,” he said in his speech at the launch of the National Level Felda Settlers Day and Hari Raya celebration at Jasin Stadium here yesterday.

Also present were Melaka Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Haron and Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad with some 25,000 Felda settlers nationwide.

Najib said efforts to expand Felda were important as the second-generation Felda settlers could not rely only on what had been achieved by the first generation.

“A Felda family on average has six children, but if the second generation depends on only 4ha of land, what will happen is we will go backwards and not progress,” he said.

He said the settlers must also have an open mind as well as be forward-looking and not just focused on matters relating to their land. The settlers and the commodity industry, particularly palm oil, have a link with the current situation globally.

“If we develop 4ha of land tirelessly but [without the right strategy], we are not able to sell our palm oil in the global market, and the settlers won’t get reasonable returns,” he said.

Meanwhile, Najib said Felda would continue to give bonuses and dividends to its settlers every year and not implement this on a one-off basis.

He said many people regarded the Felda settlers as “golden children”. However, he explained that what is given to the settlers now was an appreciation to the settlers who made sacrifices during the difficult times of its establishment. — Bernama


This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on August 25, 2014.