Felda chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad today reminded the settlers not to fall for the allegation made by the opposition that they have to hand over the land grants before they are entitled to receive the special incentive worth RM5,000 each.

Shahrir, who expressed regret over the rumour, said it was made to confuse the settlers.

"The settlers do not need to hand over the land grant to get the special incentive from the federal government. They (the opposition) just want to give Felda a bad name and they are desperate because of the upcoming general election," he said at the presentation ceremony of the Johor special incentive mock cheque at Felda Taib Andak here today.

The incentive amounting to RM5,000 for each settler who choose to replant through Felda is among the six incentives announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on July 23.

Shahrir said a total of 24,628 settlers in Johor were eligible to receive the total incentive worth RM123.14 million, which would be given in stages beginning this month's end.

"I also plan to give an additional incentive of RM5,000 to each of the non-indebted Felda settlers, but it is still in the discussion stage," he said.

-- BERNAMA