GOMBAK: There will be no Raya incentive for the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) settlers this year, Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said today.
He said the government has no plan to distribute Raya bonus as of now as it is prioritising on long term solution to ensure the welfare of the settlers are taken care of.
"I believe the settlers are aware of the country's current financial situation.
"The government's priority now is to guarantee the welfare of the settlers for long term, and that had been done recently under the Felda White Paper involving RM6.23 billion financial aid.
"To me, that should be a priority because we want a sustainable and long-term solution but not a piecemeal that will not help with the future of the settlers," he told reporters after a 'buka puasa' programme at Surau Jabal Nur, Taman Sri Gombak, here.
Azmin said he had met with Felda officials last week and concluded that all cost of living allowance and advance loan payment will be channeled before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
On the new business model for Felda settlers, Azmin said the pilot programme for new cash crop model will be rolled out immediately after Raya.
"I had met with the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Salahuddin Ayub about two weeks ago for a strategic meeting to see how we can collaborate between the Ministry and Felda.
"This is because under MoA, we have Fama (Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority), Mardi (Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute) expertise, technology and R&D (Research and Development) to offer to Felda.
"I also invited Risda (Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority) and Felcra to join this meeting because we want to see how we can start the first initiative using cash crop model.
"So we have started this intiatiave and hopefully immediately after Raya, we will be able to launch the pilot programme either in Pahang or Johor," he said.
Meanwhile, commenting on the Prime Minister's special media adviser, Datuk A. Kadir Jasin's remarks calling for non-performing ministers, menteri besar, chief ministers and state executive councillors to step down after one year, Azmin the decision lies with the people, not certain individual.
"Our Prime Minister (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) had recently said there will be no cabinet reshuffle and he appreciates the commitment shown by the current ministers.
"Majority of them are new faces, so give them a chance to carry out their duties. What's important is that currently we have young and energetic ministers with integrity to rebuild the nation," he said.
Writing in his blog The Scribe, Kadir said those who were incapable of handling the job entrusted upon them should "ship out".
He had said that a year was long enough to learn how to do their jobs in order to meet the people's aspirations.