JOHOR BARU: Johor will organise its own Felda Settlers’ Day celebration to honour Felda settlers following the Federal Government’s decision to cancel the initial event.
Caretaker Johor agriculture, agro-based industry and rural development committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip said the state-organised event is set to take place at 2.30pm on Tuesday (June 23) at Dewan Dato’ Onn, Rumah Komuniti Parlimen Sembrong in Taman Sri Lambak, Kluang.
“It will be held on a smaller scale compared to the original plan, but the significance of recognising the contributions of Felda settlers remained unchanged.
“The event, set to be officiated by caretaker Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, will also proceed with the handing over of land titles to 210 Felda settlers, which was part of the cancelled celebration,” he said in a statement.
Zahari said the land title handover is not only significant to the families but also marked the culmination of the state government’s efforts to resolve land ownership matters involving Felda settlers.
He said the state government has assisted 27,642 settlers statewide with land title matters, with the completion rate now nearing 100%.
“For the Felda community, the handover of land titles is not just about a document.
“It is recognition of the sacrifices and struggles of settlers who spent decades opening up land schemes and contributing towards the development of Johor and the country,” he said.
He added that the cancellation of the original celebration had caused disappointment among thousands of Felda settlers who had been looking forward to the annual event.
He said the state government understood the sadness and frustration felt by Felda settlers, especially the 210 families who were supposed to be celebrated during the land title handover ceremony.
“The state government will continue to stand with the Felda community and find solutions whenever their rights and interests are involved,” he said while thanking those involved in ensuring the ceremony could proceed.
On June 18, Zahari said the state government was informed of the federal government’s decision to cancel the planned celebration just four days before it was scheduled to take place on June 20 and 21 at Felda Ulu Belitong, Kluang.
He said more than 5,000 Felda residents from 73 settlements statewide had confirmed their attendance, while preparations including accommodation and food arrangements had already been made.
