BERA: The fate of FELDA settlers would have been different today if the organization had been privatised by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Rural and Regional Development Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, said the Pakatan Harapan Chairman had intended to privatize FELDA when he introduced the Malaysia Incorporated Policy.
"But the proposal was objected to by the then Chairman of FELDA, Tan Sri Raja Muhammad Alias Raja Muhammad Ali.
"When introduced (the Malaysian Incorporated Policy), the first agency he (Dr Mahathir) wanted to privatize was FELDA but he could not do so because of the objection by Raja Alias.
"Ultimately, he had no choice but to privatize Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB). If he had privatized FELDA then, we would not know what the settlers fate would be today," he said.
Ismail Sabri said this in his speech at a woking visit and launch of new models of the Felda New Generation Housing Lot by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, at FELDA Kumai, here today.
Also present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and FELDA chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad.
Ismail Sabri, who is also Member of Parliament for Bera, said Dr Mahathir had never given special provisions to FELDA during the 22 years he ruled the the country.
This is in contrast to Najib's approach to place FELDA under the Prime Minister's Department. He has also organized numerous programs and provided incentives to settlers, including the second generation.
"This shows that the Prime Minister is concerned and always defends the fate of settlers, so we should not believe the opposition who said that he (Najib) wants to destroy FELDA.
"The Prime Minister is the person who cares for FELDA the most, if compared to others because FELDA was created by his father, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein," he said.