Felda youths urged to grab opportunities

Onn Hafiz (fourth from left) handing aid from the state government to the Johor Baru Region Felda Youth Council at its annual general meeting.

YOUTHS from the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) settlements have been urged to seize business opportunities amid the increase in investments and tourists coming from Singapore.

Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said he was confident that the state’s economy would improve further in the next three to four years.

“On average, the cost of starting a business in Johor is about 70% lower compared to in Singapore.

“The price of property in Singapore has also been soaring. As such, I believe more people from Singapore will come to Johor.”

He said this in his speech after attending the Johor Baru Region Felda Youth Council annual general meeting.

Onn Hafiz said the tourism industry in Johor had been growing rapidly, in tandem with an increase in visitors from Singapore.

“We have also been receiving tourists from Australia, Japan and other parts of the world.

“A lot of these tourists are keen to go back to nature and that is something Felda youths can look into.

“I urge all of you to seize these opportunities before they are taken up by outsiders,” he said.

He also advised Felda youths to have a meeting with state youth, sports, entrepreneur development, cooperatives and human resources committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah soon to discover available opportunities.

During the event, Onn Hafiz also handed over aid totalling RM360,000 to 72 Felda youth associations in Johor Baru and Segamat.

Johor Felda Youth Council chairman Muhammad Fadzli Hasan said he was thankful for the generous allocation.

“This is the first time we are receiving financial aid from the state government.

“The money will be put to good use to carry out more programmes to help youths from Felda settlements,” he said.