BOOSTING SETTLERS’ STANDING
Felda hopes to create a sustainable, Internet-savvy community, says Shahrir
HIDIR REDUAN
BENTONG hidirreduan@nst.com.my
THE Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) 2.0 project will seek to create aF elda community that is not only sustainable but also technologically a dept.
Felda chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad said Felda 2.0 aimed to strengthen the socioeconomic status of settlers to widen their activities beyond agriculture.
“We want to create a community that is vibrant and strong; a sustainable community due to the introduction of Internet facilities to make them (settlers) smart (technologically-wise).
“This sustainable community will lead to the preservation of the environment via settlers’ involvement in such initiatives,” said Shahrir.
He was speaking on the sidelines of the 2018 Felda Lurah Bilut Family Day celebration at Felda Lurah Bilut here yesterday, which was also attended by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who is also member of parliament for Bentong.
Shahrir said the project sought to infuse energy for development among Felda settlers.
“This would attract third-generation Felda settlers to stay in the settlement and help develop it.
“Last time, (second prime minister) Tun Abdul Razak Hussein launched an experiment (opening the first Felda settlement in Felda Lurah Bilut here in 1958).
“Now, we try a new experiment
(Felda 2.0),” he said.
Shahrir said the transformation of the community would involve the use of innovations such as rubberised asphalt for road paving.
He said such an upgrade in the settlement’s infrastructure would not only uplift the Felda community but also attract residents from urban areas.
On whether there were plans to expand the Felda 2.0 project to the other settlements, Shahrir said the project would be implemented in three Felda regions this year at a cost of RM30 million.
There are 11 Felda regions nationwide, with Felda Lurah Bilut located in the Mempaga Felda region.
“In the long run, we seek to develop all 317 Felda settlements nationwide,” he said.
“The RM30 million will be used to upgrade the offices, repair roads, and beautify the surroundings. This would involve the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry for the creation of a safe city.”