Felda settlers should know to differentiate between reality and perception

Its deputy director-general (Economic Development), Ab Ghani Ali admitted that the issue of perception was a big challenge for Felda and although they tried to explain, ultimately it was for the settlers to evaluate and decide between truth and untruth.

"After 60 years of sacrifice, that is, leaving their villages behind to join the land scheme and toiling to develop their holdings and given various facilities, they have derived benefits from their hard work all this while.

"But how could they be easily influenced by the propaganda of those with vested interest, especially political interest? These people just want support from the settlers and to destroy the accord in Felda."

Ab Ghani said this at a korban ceremony at Al-Makmuriah Mosque, Felda Chini 3, here, today, in conjunction with Aidiladha. Also present were Felda Global Ventures (FGV) officer-in-charge, Datuk Khairil Anuar Aziz and Pahang Felda Affairs Committee chairman, Datuk Abu Bakar Harun.

He noted that out of about 112,000 families in Felda, 12,000 to 15,000 were no longer with Felda.

"Those who left are given the chance to return to Felda. So, use the six-month period given to rid themselves of their misperception about Felda. Think of a better future being offered in Felda," he said.

Ab Ghani also advised Felda settlers not to fall for claims that Felda was going bankrupt, which was illogical as recently, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had announced a number of incentives for the settlers.

Meanwhile, Abu Bakar regarded the perception issue as a normal thing at whatever level as it was deliberately created by the opposition to take away the Felda settlers' support for the government.

"In Felda Chini itself, 570 settlers had sued Felda, but 340 of them have realised that they were just being made use of and have returned to Felda through a solidarity initiative," he said.