‘PH wooing Felda voters a pipe dream’

KUALA LUMPUR: Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak has dismissed as wishful thinking the intention of the Pakatan Harapan pact to gain a foothold in Felda schemes.

He said their desire would not materialise because Felda settlers are strong supporters of Barisan Nasional.

The Opposition’s hope of winning seats in these areas in the 14th general election is nothing more than a pipe dream as settlers have full faith in the current BN government, he said in a post on his blog, sskeruak. blogspot.com.

Salleh said Felda settlers knew that the BN government, led by Umno, is the best ruling party to manage the country as it had brought much good, especially in helping Malays consistently through financial aid and subsidies, annual bonus payments, and looking after their welfare.

“With the kind of faith that Felda voters have in the (BN) administration, Pakatan Harapan’s hope of gaining ground here is merely wishful thinking. This is because settlers know that supporting Pakatan Harapan will jeopardise their future.”

Salleh, who is also Umno treasurer, said Felda was very dear to Malays because it had helped them progress and had improved the standard of living of poor Malays in rural areas.

“Because of the Malays’ strong feelings for Felda, it is now synonymous as the fixed deposit of the ruling party.

“This was seen in the outcome of the 2013 general election. The percentage of Felda voters who voted for Umno-BN was very significant: the highest percentage was in Sabah (92%), followed by Johor (86%), Perlis (78%), Negri Sembilan (77%), Perak (75%), Malacca (74%), Kedah (74%), Selangor (73%), Terengganu (67%), Pahang (67%) and Kelantan (61%).”

He said Felda was started on July 1, 1956 to eradicate poverty among Malays through the development of land with the cultivation of oil palm and rubber.

“Since then, Felda has grown rapidly, with 850,000ha of plantations, 38 subsidiary companies, 75 palm oil mills and seven mills to extract oil palm. Felda controls 20% of the world palm oil market and has an annual income of RM15 billion,” he said. – Bernama