KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that the government has never prevented the implementation of programmes in Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) areas, including by state governments, as long as it does not involve the use of Federal Government machinery for election campaigning purposes.
The Prime Minister said the state government was free to organise programmes in FELDA areas, but the use of government machinery, including that of the agency, for campaign purposes was not permitted according to election regulations.
“There is absolutely no obstacle for a menteri besar to enter a FELDA area and hold his own program.
“The state government wants to go and give land grants, it’s their business even though they know about the election rules. It’s not a ban, but using FELDA machinery to campaign is not allowed,” he said during the Minister’s Question Time session at the Dewan Rakyat today.
In his explanation to a question from Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut), Anwar stressed that he never issued an order to cancel the FELDA Settlers’ Day Programme which was scheduled to be held in Kluang, Johor, on June 20 and 21.
Commenting further, the Prime Minister said the MADANI Government continues to pay attention to the welfare of FELDA residents through various initiatives to restore the areas affected by previous management.
He said that among the efforts implemented included the provision of dialysis centres in FELDA areas as well as the distribution of various development facilities through Federal Government agencies.
“Previously, many FELDA areas did not receive the attention they deserved because they seemed to be marginalized from rural development projects.
“That is why I, together with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, decided to provide much better facilities than before,” he said.
— BERNAMA
