‘Felda has done so much’

‘ENHANCED’: We must emphasise welfare of settlers, says Najib

THE Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) has done much to bring changes to its community and the country, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

He said managements of Felda and its subsidiaries, Felda Global Ventures (FGV) and MSM Malaysia Holdings Bhd (MSM), focused on improving the economy and social standing of settlers.

“Felda has always been close to my heart as it as was founded by my father (Tun Abdul Razak Hussein) and I want to see it rise to the next level. I have always stressed that as a group, we must place the welfare of settlers as our priority.

“Our goal is to manage Felda, FGV and MSM so that our efforts will benefit communities and that the welfare of the settlers is enhanced,” he said at the Felda Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration yesterday.

Najib said importance was placed on providing help to Felda’s second generation in terms of housing.

He said about RM1.4 billion in housing funds had been disbursed to Felda settlers for house renovations and expansions, with up to RM40,000 given in loans without interest.

“We must also look for ways on how changes and transformation can be done for our country,” Najib said, citing the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project, where he witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday.

“Cities like Seremban, Malacca, Muar and Batu Pahat (along the HSR line) will see changes and the project will provide about 30,000 jobs.

“Projects like MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and HSR will also spur higher economic growth and we can use the income to help those in need.

“We must have an agenda either for Felda or the country, and when we have the plan, as the (ruling) government, we can deliver development and transformation to the country.”

He said despite challenges and security concerns, Malaysians continued to enjoy peace and order.

Najib said this was because the Barisan Nasional government was committed to bringing positive transformation to the country, unlike the opposition, which thrived on inciting hatred for the administration.

Present were Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Razali Ibrahim and Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad.