Kit Siang says BN deliberately kept Felda settlers poor and unskilled, 22 years of that with Mahathir as PM

Lim Kit Siang says Felda settlements remain poor and without economic activities due to BN’s policies over the decades, 22 years of that with Mahathir as Prime Minister

(FMT) – DAP’s Lim Kit Siang said the Barisan Nasional (BN) government had practised a policy that ensured Felda settlers remain trapped in poverty, by making them dependent on government aid and depriving them of skills-training.

“First generation Felda settlers, who are mainly rural poor and sent to develop land around the countryside into cash crop plantation, were never given any other training besides being a farmer,” the veteran politician said in Cameron Highlands, where Felda settlers form a large chunk of voters in the upcoming by-election.

Lim said the BN policy was “reminiscent of the British colonial administration policy of keeping the Malay farmers as farmers and only giving their children education to become better farmers”.

He accused BN of neglecting Felda settlers for decades, adding that they were “exploited” as the “vote bank” during elections.

He said cronyism and a neglect of education had “stunted” Felda settlers’ potential for economic growth”.

He added that this was why Felda settlements had remained “plantation villages with no other industrial activity”.

Lim said he was told that settlers who wished to expand beyond agriculture would face hurdles from Felda.

“Investors cannot go into the settlement areas to tap into the human capital due to the land monopoly.

“This has created a situation where the second generation of settlers have to either move out of Felda in poverty or continue to be farmers if they receive the ownership of the plantation from their father.”

He said the Felda management practised subcontracting economic activities to BN’s cronies.

He said the previous government’s attempt to diversify Felda settlers’ talents by granting their children scholarships had also failed.

Lim said Felda’s future was better guaranteed under Pakatan Harapan (PH).

“By removing cronyism and corruption within Felda, we can finally realise the true potential of Felda as a social program, intended to lift the rural poor out of the poverty cycle while at the same time creating a vibrant community.”