KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — R. Yuneswaran has welcomed the MADANI Government’s continued commitment to strengthening Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA), describing recent initiatives announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as a clear demonstration of the government’s determination to restore confidence among more than 100,000 FELDA settler families nationwide.
In a statement, Yuneswaran said the government inherited a FELDA burdened by significant financial challenges, including heavy debt, governance weaknesses and the impact of past decisions that affected the institution’s financial position.
He said instead of allowing those issues to persist, the MADANI Government had chosen to take responsibility by implementing the FELDA Recovery Plan, which allocates RM990 million annually from 2023 to meet FELDA’s financial commitments.
According to Yuneswaran, nearly RM3.96 billion has already been channelled under the plan, while the government’s total commitment amounts to RM9.9 billion over a 10-year period.
He noted that although the funds could have been used for other public infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and roads, the government prioritised ensuring FELDA’s financial stability and protecting the welfare of settlers.
However, Yuneswaran stressed that FELDA’s transformation should go beyond resolving its financial obligations, urging the government to place greater emphasis on the needs of second- and third-generation settlers.
He identified key challenges facing younger FELDA communities, including the shortage of affordable housing, limited access to residential land, insufficient quality employment opportunities and the need for greater exposure to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence (AI) and the digital economy.
As the Member of Parliament for Segamat, Yuneswaran said the issue is particularly important because several FELDA settlements in the constituency have played a significant role in the district’s economic development over the years.
He proposed several measures, including accelerating housing projects for second-generation settlers, improving residential land ownership policies, attracting more investments and downstream industries into FELDA areas, expanding TVET and digital skills training, and strengthening infrastructure, internet connectivity and public amenities.
Yuneswaran described FELDA as more than just a government agency, calling it a symbol of Malaysia’s efforts to eradicate poverty, develop rural communities and build a strong Bumiputera middle class.
He said the agenda to strengthen FELDA should transcend political differences and pledged to continue championing the interests of FELDA settlers to ensure the development of FELDA remains a national priority for the benefit of future generations and the country’s continued progress.
— MINUTESMY
