KUANTAN: A promise to build 5,000 Second Generation Felda Homes in collaboration with Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) under the 2018 Budget could help resolve housing problems faced by second generation settlers.
Second generation settler Sharinnahar Latib described the news as something concrete as previously when various plans were launched, only some took off while the others hit a snag due to various problems, such as lack of proper land to build the homes and credible contractors.
The 31-year-old father-of-two said since SPNB has a proven track record, it will certainly be a huge relief to the second generation settlers, who hope to get some assistance to secure housing loans, and that the construction of the housing units will become a reality.
"The housing for second generation (Felda settlers) have been an issue for quite some time, with several quarters promising various measures and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak did make an announcement about housing incentives during the national-level Felda Settlers day celebration in July.
"Now, SPNB will assist us to obtain loans and although only 5,000 units were announced but I am certain it will be some help," he said.
Meanwhile, Felda Chini's Kelab Akar Budi deputy chairman Yusnie'ta Che Ahmad said the government should give preference to second generation settlers who remained in the settlement to own the houses.
He said this was to ensure the target-group will benefit instead of those staying or working outside or elsewhere having the opportunity to own the units.
"We are grateful to the Prime Minister who have never sidelined the Felda community and announcing a solution for the housing issues. We hope only those who deserve it will get the units.
"The target group has to be Felda settler's children (second generation) who work and live in the settlement. This will also allow them to stay closer to their parents," he said today.
Meanwhile, Wilayah Jengka Kami Anak Felda (KAF) association chairman Mohamad Zamri Basri said he hopes the Prime Minister's announcement will also help revive second generation housing projects which has been abandoned at certain settlements in the country.
"We hope SPNB have their own mechanism to tackle the problem and appoint contractors with credibility to revive and complete abandoned projects.
"Even in my settlement, in Felda Jengka 11, there were problems to complete 300 second generation homes but Felda chairman (Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad) is currently looking into the problem," he said.