Najib announces six incentives for Felda settlers

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday announced six incentives for the Federal Land Development Authority ( Felda) settlers.

These incentives are in the form of debt disposal, incentive payment, setting up of a special fund and grant as well as housing incentive, among others.

Sharing the good news with over 50,000 people, including Felda settlers who were not deterred by the heavy rain at Dataran Putrajaya here, Najib announced a special incentive for Felda settlers of RM5,000 to 94,956 fully eligible families of Felda settlers for their welfare.

“With a total allocation of RM474.78 million, the payment will commence at the end of August, 2017,” he said to the applause of those attending the national level Felda Settlers Day 2017 celebration here.

In line with the effort towards a stronger corporate governance and integrity, Najib, who is also Finance Minister, announced that part of their Felda Global Ventures Holdings Berhad (FGV) equity loan would be disposed of.

“Some 77,934 settlers, who are still paying for the FGV equity loans, will have the balance of their loans disposed of at a rate of ringgit to ringgit,” he said.

Najib said 1,626 settlers, who had paid their loans, would receive a cash reward of RM1,820.

“This involves a total allocation of RM128.10 million. For settlers who have never made any FGV equity loan payment, they will not receive this incentive,” he said.

He also announced the incentive to dispose of replanting debts amounting to RM5,000 for every settler who chose to replant through Felda involving a total allocation of RM519 million.

Additilonally, a special replanting overdraft debt disposal fund was also set up involving an allocation of RM300 million for a period of five years commencing from 2017 until 2021 to dispose of the operating cost debts exceeding RM40,000.

“This means, if the debt for replanting operating cost is RM60,000, a total of RM20,000 will be disposed of using this special fund, based on an assessment on the application sent and approved by a committee at the Felda level,” he said. — Bernama

Najib (second left) cutting the glutinous rice in conjunction with his birthday at the national level Felda Settlers Day 2017 celebration in Putrajaya. Also seen are Felda chairman Tan Sri Shahril Abdul Samad (left) and Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah...