‘IT’S WISHFUL THINKING’
Statistics have shown Felda settlers are strong supporters of BN, says minister
COMMUNICATIONS and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak has dismissed the intention of Pakatan Harapan to gain a foothold in Felda schemes as wishful thinking.
He said Pakatan Harapan’s desire would not materialise because Felda settlers were strong supporters of Barisan Nasional.
Its hope of winning seats in these areas in the 14th General Election (GE14) was wishful thinking as the settlers had faith in the BN government, he said in a posting in his blog, sskeruak.blogspot.com.
Salleh said Felda settlers knew the BN government, led by Umno, was the best party to manage the country as it had brought much good, especially in helping the Malays consistently through financial aid, subsidies, annual bonus payments and looking after their welfare.
“With the kind of faith that Felda settlers have in the (BN) administration, Pakatan Harapan’s hope of gaining ground is merely wishful. This is because the settlers know that supporting Pakatan Harapan will jeopardise their future.”
Salleh, who is also Umno treasurer, said Felda was very dear to the Malays because it had helped them progress and had improved the standard of living of the poor Malays in rural areas.
“Because of the Malays’ strong feelings for Felda, it is the fixed deposit of the ruling party. This was seen in the outcome of the 2013 general election.
“The percentage of Felda settlers who voted for Umno-BN was significant. The highest percentage was in Sabah (92 per cent), followed by Johor (86 per cent), Perlis (78 per cent), Negri Sembilan (77 per cent), Perak (75 per cent), Melaka (74 per cent), Kedah (74 per cent), Selangor (73 per cent), Terengganu (67 per cent), Pahang (67 per cent) and Kelantan (61 per cent).”
He said Felda was started on July 1, 1956, by the second prime minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, to eradicate poverty among the Malays through the development of land with oil palm and rubber cultivation.
“Since then, Felda has grown rapidly, with 850,000ha of plantations, 38 subsidiary companies, 75 oil palm mills and seven mills to extract palm oil.
“Felda controls 20 per cent of the world’s palm oil market and has an annual income of RM15 billion.”
Salleh said the continuing support of Felda settlers for BN would make it difficult for Pakatan Harapan to win seats in Felda areas in GE14. Bernama