Now it’s time for Felda folk’s children to enjoy windfall


(The Star) – After their parents’ windfall earlier this year, it is the second generation of Felda settlers who are now at the “receiving end”.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday handed out RM563mil to 112,635 Felda households, with the funds specifically targeted at the younger generation. Each family received RM5,000.

The handout was the third and final instalment that the Prime Minister had promised Felda settlers in recognition of their 56 years of toil.

On May 8, Najib announced a windfall of RM15,000 for each first-generation settler’s family at 317 Felda schemes nationwide.

The first RM5,000 was paid to the head of the households and the second instalment to the wives.

“The Barisan Nasional government has never broken a promise; Janji ditepati’ (Keeping our promises) is not merely a slogan,” Najib told 12,000 settlers at the Felda New Generation gathering at Universiti Teknologi Mara.

Najib said the windfall was possible due to the successful listing of Felda Global Ventures Holdings (FGVH), which the Opposition had tried to block.

“They only know how to condemn, incite and make empty promises,” said Najib.

“They do not seek anything beneficial, but want to ruin our good efforts. Do not dream of getting RM15,000 (from the Opposition),” he added.

Also present were Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Ahmad Maslan and Felda group chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad.

Isa said the windfall was a short-term reward for the settlers, adding that a trust fund had been set up for the long term.

“This durian runtuh (windfall) isn’t going to be an annual occurrence.

“If that was the case, it would be akin to kutip durian (harvesting),” he added.

Felda also showcased new housing designs for settlers which included a RM70,000 bungalow that could be completed in a week.

Isa said Felda planned to build 4,000 houses each year.

 



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