FELDA PROBLEMS ‘TO BE SOLVED SOON’
With new chairman, Felda can hold meeting to liquidate funds, pay settlers
THE decision to appoint Tan Sri Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor as the new Felda chairman is expected to lead to the solving of several problems, especially those pertaining to late payments to settlers.
Pahang Felda Affairs, Cooperatives, Entrepreneurs and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Nazri Ngah said Megat Zaharuddin’s appointment would mean that Felda could now hold a meeting to liquidate much needed funds.
He said the liquidation of funds needed the approval of the board of directors, and since there had been no chairman for some time, the funds were tied up and payments to settlers could not be made.
He said the delay in settling the payments for oil palm produce was also expected to be solved.
“Once these two issues are solved, we can move towards solving the issue of the presence of middlemen in factories.
“At the same time, we hope the Pakatan Harapan Federal Government will think about the future of settlers and come up with policies that will not burden the people.
“This includes strengthening ties with countries like China,” he told the New Straits Times Press.
On Friday, Felda announced the appointment of Megat Zaharuddin to replace Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad, who resigned on May 14, five days after the 14th General Election.
Felda settlers had voiced their concern about the loss of income as the price of palm oil had dropped globally.
Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak also voiced his concern, saying that the PH government’s policies did not seem to favour Felda settlers.
Paya Besar member of parliament Mohd Shahar Abdullah had urged the government and Felda management to think of the settlers.
He said he had received many complaints from settlers in the 16 Felda areas in his constituency, all of whom were afraid that they were looking at a bleak future.