RM450 duit Raya incentive for Felda and Felcra settlers

PETALING JAYA: More than 150,000 settlers from Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) and Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra) schemes nationwide will receive a Hari Raya special incentive payment of RM450 each.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who made the announce­ment, said the Government would bear the cost of the incentive payments for Felda settlers at a cost of RM50mil.

The incentive payment for Felcra settlers will be paid from Felcra’s profits.

“The incentive payment will be reviewed next year, whereby the recipients of the Bantuan Sara Hidup payments will no longer qualify to receive the incentive payment,” he said.

Felda reportedly has 112,635 settlers, while there are 59,951 participants of Felcra schemes.

In an immediate reaction, president of the National Felda Settlers Children’s Association (Anak) Maz­lan Aliman said he shed tears of joy upon hearing the announcement.

“The announcement shows that the Government is sensitive to our needs despite facing financial constraints,” he said.

“The RM450 payment for each settler is a Hari Raya gift for the Felda settlers and will be a relief for them.”

Mazlan added that he had received many grouses from Felda settlers, who complained of financial difficulties and appealed for help in the run-up to Hari Raya.