RM300M TO HELP SETTLERS WITH EXTREME DEBTS
3,238 Felda settlers to benefit, says Shahrir
FELDA has allocated RM300 million to reduce the burden of settlers who have debts of more than RM180,000.
Felda chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad said there were 3,238 settlers who had extreme debts with Felda, adding that the land authority was keen to find a solution.
He said Felda would gather information at all stages, as well as meet the settlers to determine whether the debts were caused by weather and soil factors, or whether disruptions from wildlife, such as elephants, had caused the settlers to rework their land.
“We will assess these extreme debts. Felda has an annual allocation of RM60 million, and a RM300 million allocation over five years. We want to make things right.
“We have disposed of excess debts in the past when we established that it was not because the settlers didn’t want to pay (but instead, was due to factors related to the land),” he said after a meet-and-greet session with Felda Lakumdi settlers here.
Present was Pahang Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin, who is Lanchang assemblyman.
At the same event, Shahrir attended a dialogue session and presented a RM5,000 incentive to 22 Felda settlers from Lakum and Bukit Damar, who did not have debts with Felda.
He said Felda would soon announce 15 more land schemes under the Felda Initiative 2.0, after a special tabling session next month.
“These 15 schemes will be given an allocation of RM20 million, contributed equally from Felda and the Federal Government to develop the areas.”