BE LOYAL TO BN, FELDA SETTLERS URGED
Past mistakes in Felda investments have been rectified, says Zahid
FELDA settlers and the agency’s leadership nationwide have been urged to remain loyal to the Barisan Nasional government which has proven to be capable of bringing progress and developing the land schemes in a more proper manner, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said although it was acknowledged that there were past weaknesses in the management of Felda investments, these weaknesses had been resolved by the new Felda chairman, Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad.
He said that among the measures taken were the restructuring of the Felda investments and managing the debts of Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV).
“There are 54 parliamentary constituencies in the Felda land schemes and we admit that there were weaknesses during the leadership of a particular individual at that time, but since Shahrir took over, we have corrected the situation. Now, Felda is on the right track and we hope the settlers and Felda management give their trust to Shahrir and the BN (government),” he said after attending a programme with nongovernmental organisations in Kampung Banang in Hutan Melintang here yesterday.
Zahid was commenting on efforts by the opposition in the 14th General Election (GE14) to woo voters in the Felda land schemes.
He hoped the settlers who were influenced by the opposition to return and support BN for the sake of continued development in the Felda schemes.
“Don’t make the mistake again. I hope all the parliamentary constituencies in the Felda scheme remain with BN and those that had gone to the opposition will return to us, so that we can develop together.
“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak does not merely promise, but has implemented numerous developments in the Felda schemes, including housing for the second- and thirdgeneration settlers, affordable homes as well as improving the infrastructure facilities,” he added.