Felda transformation project focuses on settlers' land inheritance

Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said the Cabinet had agreed the tabling of the White Paper, which was scheduled to be tabled to Parliament on Monday, had to be postponed to the first meeting of the second session of the 14th Parliament (2019).

KUALA LUMPUR:  Federal Land Development Authority's (Felda) transformation project has identified 31 strategic initiatives including addressing settlers’ land inheritance issue.

Felda said on Tuesday that 30% of 112,635 settler families are facing inheritance issue while another 58% would face similar issue soon enough considering the aging settlers. 

The transformation's initiatives will also focus on setting up a better and more transparent loan management system.

“All 31 strategic initiatives are in line with Felda’s strategic intents approved by the board in meeting its aspirations to become the nation’s leading plantation manager, ensuring financial sustainability, having talented leadership and attaining community wellbeing sustainably,” it said. 

Felda is the country's most important political cog with 54 parliamentary constituencies under Felda settlers.

“The board has also approved Felda’s budget for 2019 which reflects a reduction of 23% compared to 2018,” it said. 

On the inheritance issue, Felda said long term solutions must be achieved to ensure smooth ownership transfer and welfare of the settler’s community as a whole. 

“In addition, other initiatives involve reorganisation of the Felda group and also identifying the long term sustainability model for Felda. Some of these initiatives will be finalised after discussions with the government,” it said/

To recap, on Sept 20, Felda chairman Tan Sri Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor announced the turnaround plan through the transformation project initiatives towards a more sustainable directions. 

Felda then appointed a head of the transformation project whose performance will be reported to Felda board on a regular basis to ensure good governance. 

In the statement on Tuesday, Felda said the 31 strategic initiatives would be implemented in three phases which at this juncture will take eight months for each phase. 

“The first phase is creating momentum and early wins, second phase is expanding and growing results while the third phase is delivering and building capabilities. 

“All efforts are being put into ensuring that these phases could run concurrently to expedite the turnaround,” it said. 

Felda said the group and the settlers plantation land, which are the main assets must add value including application of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) to achieve the appropriate market price. 

It also pointed out rhe relationship between Felda and settlers is also unique to attain a rural community that lives in a conducive and dynamic environment. 
“With past efforts to increase the social mobility of Felda’s new generation, the results can be clearly seen where they now form about 60% of Felda Group employees. 

“They are also the ones who will become drivers of the Felda Transformation Project which will have significant impact on the livelihood of their parents and families in Felda schemes.

“Eventually, with all the strategic intents accomplished, Felda will stand true to its vision to be the nation’s exemplary developer of progressive settlement community,” it