LIPIS: New generation Felda settlers are set to benefit from an education financing scheme to be introduced by Felda at the end of the first quarter of this year.
Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said the scheme, which will be announced by the end of March, will place emphasis on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes.
“This is among the measures (the government is taking) to strengthen the position of Felda, which is currently… RM8 billion in debt.
“The TVET scheme is important, as (graduates are in) high demand by employers and (the programme is popular with) the young generation, as it offers the potential for job-seekers to earn lucrative incomes.
“Planning (for the programme) started last year, and we have held discussions with Khazanah Nasional Berhad (Khazanah) and Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) to identify a new scheme to help improve the education (of young Felda settlers),” he said after meeting Felda settlers at Semai Bakti Hall in Sungai Koyan here, today.
Also present was Felda chairman Tan Sri Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor.
Mohammed Azmin said Khazanah and PNB have been given a month to study and fine-tune details about the scheme before forwarding a proposal to the ministry.
He said the study is expected to be completed by next month, before it is tabled in Parliament at the end of March.
“TVET training is quite costly and we have asked (Khazanah and PNB) to look into how the financing process can be sorted out... either by offering a scholarship or a loan,” he said.
Meanwhile, on a separate matter, Mohammed Azmin brushed aside claims that Pakatan Harapan (PH) will be utilising government assets to campaign during the Cameron Highlands by-election, saying that the allegations are baseless.
“The programme today is not part of the Cameron Highlands by-election campaign... In fact, I came here using my own vehicle.
“Nomination day is only tomorrow. (Parties) campaign only after nomination day and… the nomination process has not been completed, but some claim that (PH leaders) are already campaigning,” he added.
Reported by Nik Sukry Ramli, TN Alagesh and Nazirul Roselan
Keywords: Felda, Mohamed Azmin Ali, TVET, Khazanah, PNB, Pakatan Harapan, Cameron Highlands, by-election