KUANTAN: A total of 16,440 or 38 per cent of the 43,126 Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) settlers in Pahang have signed the loan adjustment agreement as of Wednesday.

The final date for the settlers to sign the Felda loan adjustment agreement, which was made available on July 8, is on Aug 11.

Felda in a statement today said the settlers who signed the agreement could enjoy a far lower monthly installment, namely, RM150 a month and a maximum of RM300 a month.

"Settlers who have no debt or have a debt of less than RM5,000 are eligible for a replanting incentive.

"The incentive is borne by Felda after the deductions of the replanting contributions or assistance from the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda)," it said.

Felda said a briefing session on the loan adjustment had been carried out online, following the current Movement Control under the National Recovery Plan.

The statement added that Felda also took the approach of explaining anything being raised through a live talk session on Facebook by its Finance director and also its Plantation director.

The agency also actively answered all questions raised through the social media platforms as well as uploading infographics to facilitate the settlers and new generations in getting the latest and valid information.

"Felda also provides a platform through WhatsApp whereby all the questions from settlers can be answered immediately.

"With this approach, most of the issues are answered and the settlers are more confident to sign the loan adjustment agreement," said the statement.

The statement also announced that the settlers could check their loan statements at their respective scheme's office or logging on to e-Peneroka portal.

On July 7, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the government had agreed with Felda's proposal to conditionally dispose of part of the loans of the settlers amounting to RM8.3 billion.

-- BERNAMA