‘Those who claim Felda bankrupt are traitors’

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PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak regards those who alleged that Felda was bankrupt as traitors to the nation as they were prepared to insult an institution that has served the people well.

WHO’S BANKRUPT?: Najib speaking at the closing ceremony of ‘Ikatan Hati Warga Felda’ carnival. — Bernama photo

The prime minister said Felda was a successful institution that had changed the country’s socio-economic landscape, besides having a lot of cash savings.

“Two or three days ago, I had a meeting with the Felda management and I looked at the Felda accounts. If today we liquidate all the Felda shares listed on Bursa Malaysia, Felda can earn as much as RM4.3 billion.

“Who says Felda is bankrupt? There’s no such thing. The management said not to mention it (the amount), but Felda has a lot of money in its savings … (and) it’s safe,” he said when closing the Karnival Ikatan Hati Warga Felda (Iktiraf) 2010, here, yesterday.

Also present were Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Ahmad Maslan and Felda chairman Tan Sri Dr Mohd Yusof Noor.

Najib said those who alleged that Felda was bankrupt had made the second biggest lie after the claim to take over the federal government on Sept 16, 2008.

Hence, he said, it was incumbent on the people including the Felda fraternity to defend the ruling government in Putrajaya.

While regarding the detractors as callous, as they were prepared to insult Felda and tarnish its image, Najib said they were now afraid to attack Felda as it had been proven that what they claimed was untrue.

“That is why those who said Felda was bankrupt are now shaking at their knees. We have won two cases in court and there are four more cases pending.

“We are on the right side. Today, they dare not ‘crow’ anymore. We challenge them that if they do, we will sue,” he said.

The prime minister said the opportunities made available and the long-term plans implemented by Felda at its 317 land schemes throughout the country had brought a lot of change or transformation to the Felda community.

“For example, 36 Felda settlers’ children who were given the opportunity to be trained in aircraft maintenance will be the first group to be recognised as engineers in the field next year.

“Therefore, no one can deny that the Felda community is a fine example of a successful rural community in this country.”

Najib also said that one of the most effective achievements of Felda was in tackling poverty.

“All this is proof that our struggle is one that has benefited the Felda community. I’ve been told that two million people have directly and indirectly benefited from Felda’s success.”

In fact, Najib said, the success and transformation did not only benefit the Felda community but also the communities in areas surrounding the agency’s land schemes.

“This means that Felda’s success is not just for the Felda community but for the whole country. That is why we need to defend Felda against ‘attacks’ by those who are callous and have ill intentions.”

He also believed that with Felda’s success, its community would become a high-income community earlier than others, that is, before 2020.

In appreciation of the role of Felda settlers, Najib announced an additional allocation of RM5 million for the implementation of five progammes in the agency’s land schemes, that is, RM1 million for each programme.

The programmes involve combating the drug problem and social ills; youth, culture and sports development; dated-community; managing the Felda Youth Council at the national, regional and scheme levels; and nation-building programme for Felda youths.

He also announced that Felda agreed to channel an allocation of RM25 million to build futsal open courts at its land schemes.

The courts, costing RM100,000 each to build, are expected to be ready by 2012. — Bernama