TAPAH: More than RM200mil in debts owed by Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra) settlers will be waived, the caretaker Prime Minister announced.
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob said this was because the settlers could have participated in projects deemed to be less viable.
He said the total amount worked out to RM223.8mil with over 20,000 settlers involved.
“We understand that there are some Felcra projects with lower viability, and as such the settlers are unable to pay off their debts.
“We will call a meeting to discuss the procedures and terms but for now, we can’t since Parliament has been dissolved.
“We will make it come true if my colleagues and I can meet again after the 15th General Election,” Ismail Sabri said in an address to Felcra, Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda), Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa) and the tok batin (village head) community at Dewan Arena Merdeka here yesterday.
Ismail Sabri said there were other Felcra projects which were successful, adding that the settlers concerned would receive profits for these.
He revealed that 74,949 settlers would receive RM181.5mil in taxable profit this year, with payments to be made in stages beginning on Monday.
“Felcra was able to increase the value of 204ha of land in rural areas, benefiting over 103,000 participants,” he added.
Ismail Sabri said overall, Felcra had performed well, registering an increase of almost RM51mil or 38.1% compared to last year’s bonus.
He also announced that more than 600 tok batin in the country would receive a special RM1,000 one-off aid.
“They have played a big role towards the development of the Orang Asli in the country. So we have decided to reward them for their hard work,” he said, adding that the total allocation for this was RM624,000.
Ismail Sabri also said the government would re-table Budget 2023 by the end of this year if it was returned in the general election.
“We have tabled the budget and we want to give many things to the people. While Budget 2023 has been tabled, it needed to be approved first.
“Unlike a manifesto which can be made up of false promises, the budget tabled means the allocations already exist,” he said.
“Now we need it to be approved before we can put things into action. If I am made prime minister again, God willing, all that has been tabled will be approved,” he added.
