Felda is close to PM's heart - Puad Zarkashi

The announcement of six special incentives for Felda settlers, including cash of RM5,000, by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in conjunction with the Felda Settlers' Day on Sunday, is proof that the government has never marginalised them.

UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Puad Zarkashi said the announcement also refuted all the allegations hurled by the opposition that the government did not care about Felda settlers and that the agency was going bankrupt.

"This proves that the prime minister views Felda settlers as a priority and that Felda is close to his heart as it was to his late father, the second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak, who mooted the setting up of the agency.

"The prime minister (Najib) is really committed to helping Felda settlers and ensuring that the second generation of the settlers would also benefit from the various programmes implemented by the government."

Puad said this at the Department of Special Affairs' (JASA) Aidilfitri gathering yesterday, which was also attended by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman and State Secretary Datuk Wan Nawawi Wan Ismail.

On Sunday, Najib announced six special incentives for Felda settlers, which include debt disposal, cash incentive payment, the setting up of a special fund and grant, as well as a housing incentive.

Meanwhile, Puad, who is also the director-general of JASA, said the department was prepared to face the 14th general election should it be called anytime, especially to tackle strategic communication issues and to counter all attacks made by the opposition against the government.

"We will give emphasis in ensuring the content or information spread on the various social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp and Telegram, are true, so that we can counter all the allegations and lies hurled at the government.

"This will be done by JASA staff at the state and parliamentary constituency level through their social media accounts, so that accurate information could reach the people at the grassroots," he added.

-- BERNAMA