SEREMBAN: Felda votes could once again become a decisive factor for Barisan Nasional in the Negri Sembilan state election, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
The former Felda chairman said this was due to the significant electoral shift that first became evident in Johor, and the 16,000 registered voters from Felda settlements across nine state constituencies in Negri Sembilan could prove influential.
“If that level of cooperation can be achieved, it would be a game changer,” he said.
Drawing comparisons with the Johor state election, Shabery said support from Felda voters had returned across all generations after earlier signs of fragmentation during Umno’s previous internal political crisis.
“In the past, the first generation of settlers largely remained loyal, but we saw challenges among the second, third and fourth generations of voters.
“However, during the Johor election, support returned across all generations,” he said, expressing confidence that a similar trend would emerge in Negri Sembilan.
According to Shabery, Felda’s demographic landscape has also evolved. While many second- and third-generation settlers no longer reside in the settlements, they remain registered voters who often return home to cast their ballots.
“These younger generations may have drifted away from Umno previously, but with the current political alignment, they have more options.
“They may decide to return to Barisan,” he said.
He pointed out that younger Felda families are now more concerned with housing, education and employment opportunities.
“The second and third generations are no longer burdened by settlers’ loans. Their concerns are different,” he added.
Shabery said ensuring housing opportunities for future generations would be among the key issues influencing Felda voters.
Meanwhile, Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali urged Felda voters to remember that it was the Bersatu-led federal administration that resolved the long-standing burden of settlers’ loans, amounting to RM8.3bil.
Azmin said this was done during the Pakatan Harapan administration in 2018, when he oversaw the Economic Planning Unit (EPU).
“We pushed for the settlement of the settlers’ loans because many of them did not understand why they owed such large amounts,” he said, adding that many owed between RM90,000 and RM120,000.
Azmin also said the Felda White Paper, tabled in Parliament, went beyond debt restructuring to include proposals addressing the housing needs of the second and third generations of Felda families.
He said the recommendations were subsequently implemented during the administration of former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Perikatan Nasional deputy chairman Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said there had been an increase in support from Felda voters in several states, especially Pahang, Terengganu and Selangor.
“Based on the trend from the 14th and 15th General Elections, Felda voters have shifted towards supporting Perikatan, particularly in Pahang, Terengganu and Selangor.
“In Negri Sembilan, Perikatan is expected to gain stronger backing, especially from second- and third-generation Felda settlers, who are more exposed to current issues and more open in their political views.
“Their perspectives are shaped by wider access to information and changing social circumstances,” he said.
He added that the political understanding between Perikatan and Barisan would give voters greater confidence in Perikatan candidates, as many had responded positively to the cooperation.
