SEREMBAN: Children of Felda settlers in the Palong 12 scheme can soon apply for lots to build their own homes, says Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
The Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar said the state government has identified a 5.7ha area in the scheme which will be subdivided into 100 lots.
"The land is owned by the state government and we have agreed to give it to the second- and third-generation settlers still living in the schemes.
"They will only be charged a small fee as there will be some costs incurred such as to measure and subdivide the lots," he told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting at Wisma Negri here Wednesday (Sept 28).
Each lot will be about 4,000sq feet in size.
Aminuddin said the state government hopes to launch the project early next year and among the criteria for eligibility is that the applicant must live in the same scheme.
"We are in the midst of finalising... who can apply for the lots.
"It is our hope to do this as quickly as possible because this will also keep the younger generation from leaving the schemes," he said.
Aminuddin said the state government would also introduce the initiative in other Felda schemes in the state.
"The Palong 12 scheme is a pilot project. We intend to carry out the programme in other schemes where we own land," he said.
He said successful applicants would be allowed to design their own houses based on affordability.
The move, he said, would also help cushion the effects of a labour crunch faced in some schemes.
"They can either continue to work in the schemes or run their own businesses. The choice will be theirs," he said.
On a separate matter, Aminuddin said state civil servants who register as volunteers and are roped in to help victims in the event of floods will be entitled to unrecorded leave.
He expressed hope that private sector employers would also consider providing this privilege to their employees who register as volunteers and are called upon to help victims.
