Government writes off RM133 million debts of 2,288 Kesedar settlers

The federal government has agreed to write off more than RM133 million in debts owed by 2,288 settlers of the Kelantan Selatan Development Authority (Kesedar) since the land development scheme was launched in 1978, Kesedar chairman Datuk Ramzi Abdul Rahman announced.

The amount included arrears of interest amounting RM112.4 million which had yet to be settled by the settlers from the time they joined the scheme 34 years ago, he said, adding that the Federal Treasury letter of Nov 9 on the matter was effective immediately.

"The approval of the government, through the Finance Ministry, to write off the debts is news most welcomed by the settlers," he told reporters after a meeting with Kesedar general manager Mohd Arshad Ismail along with the Scheme Development and Security Committee and representatives of the second generation of settlers of the scheme, here.

Ramzi also said that the government was working out a suitable formula to refund those settlers who had settled their debts with the government, and the matter would be determined by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry and the Finance Ministry.

He said Kesedar expressed its thanks to the two ministries for their efforts because it was in accordance with the "Promises Fulfilled" concept of the government.