RM1 mln grand prize for best Felda settlement

KUALA LUMPUR: The excitement is almost palpable among Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) settlers come July every year.

In addition to the good news that usually comes with the annual celebration of Hari Peneroka (Settler’s Day), the grand prize of RM1 million for a selected settlement is also cause for such anticipation.

It is a prize much coveted by the community comprising 112,635 settlers since it was first introduced 10 years ago through the Felda village beautification award (Anugerah Keceriaan Kampung Felda) (AKKF).

This year, the tradition continues with 10 settlements qualifying for the finals at the Ekspresi Felda Negaraku Malaysia Carnival, which will be held in conjunction with the national level Hari Peneroka celebration this year.

The three-day carnival starts today with a launching by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who will also be presenting the 10th edition of the AKKF award this Sunday in Putrajaya.

“The award will be given to the land settlement scheme that has best managed the beautification and administration of their village, out of the 317 Felda settlements out there. Participation in the programme is compulsory.

“This year, only 10 villages made it to the final round and I can honestly say that this year’s competition is the most tight yet. In fact, the juries are having a hard time deciding which of them should be awarded the RM1 million cash prize,” said Felda Deputy Director General of Community Development Anuar Malek to Bernama in an interview recently.

He said this was because not only were all the finalists neckto-neck in terms of cleanliness and landscaping, but it was also because they had great leadership and residents who actively participated in all efforts.