KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) has stepped up its support in addressing the challenges of Covid-19.
Several measures are being taken to help ease the burden of settlers whose lives have been affected by the Government’s Movement Control Order (MCO), from March 18 to April 14.
Felda said it recognises the importance of the MCO in curbing the spread of Covid-19.
However, with this MCO, also comes financial implications for settlers which would definitely affect their income.
Felda today announced the deferment of Settlers’ Income Deduction for all types of Plantations and Socioeconomic related loans except for the D'Mart Store and the “Jabatan Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Rancangan” (JKKR) deductions.
Felda Director-General Datuk Dr Othman Omar said the three-month deferment period will be based on the income statement of April 2020 to June 2020, which involves the months of March 2020 to May 2020.
“The deferment will be automatic with no requirement to submit any application to the Felda management. Deductions will be rescheduled after the expiration of the deferment period and this exercise will benefit over 92,000 settlers," he said in a statement today.
In addition, he said Felda has also taken proactive measures to set up the Community Food Centre Plan (PMKR) which was initiated by the Settlers’ Consultative Committee in collaboration with the Department of Settlers and Community Development.
This initiative looks at providing support to settlers who face difficulties and are troubled by financial challenges and constraints during these trying times, he said.
National Felda Settlers Head Sulong Jamil Mohamed Shariff said the initiative was aimed at helping settlers who have been financially affected and are unable to obtain food supplies due to Covid-19 and the MCO.
“To date, nearly 16,500 families have received PMKR assistance. Our utmost gratitude to Felda who have been supportive from the very beginning. Our thanks also to the respective Felda non-governmental organisations (NGO) and other contributors who have worked together for this charitable cause," he said.
The contributions thus far, include basic necessities such as rice, sugar, wheat flour, canned sardines, soy sauce, eggs, cooking oil, tea, coffee and other practical food supplies.
Sulong said to ensure there will be continuity in the supply of food, they called upon settlers who are already successful and are able to contribute, as well as corporate personalities, to come forward to contribute goods and food supplies.
“All contributions will be collected at the offices of JKKR, the Association of Women's Movement, Kami Anak Felda, Felda Youth Council Malaysia or other bodies designated for distribution, including mosques and surau."
Othman also shared Felda's initiative to support the Government, especially the Health Ministry (MoH) in its preparations to cater for potential increase of Covid-19 patients.
"Although according to the MoH, the current hospital capacity is sufficient, Felda has taken proactive steps, to standby and convert our facilities into potential Quarantine Centres, in view of the MoH's expectation that Covid-19 positive cases may increase by mid-April.
“At this point in time, Felda has offered three of our hostels – in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru and Kuantan; three of our Training Centers – in Kuala Lumpur, Kerteh, Terengganu and Chini, Pahang and four of our Felda Residences – in Tanjung Leman, Johor, Sungai Tekam, Pahang, Trolak, Perak and Felda Sahabat in Sabah.
“All these facilities are well-equipped to be converted into Quarantine Centres which will be able to cater to more than 1,500 patients. Our Felda Sahabat Residence has now been activated as a Quarantine Centre and is currently housing 52 patients. Meanwhile, our other facilities are on standby to be activated as Quarantine Centres on a ‘need to’ basis, subject to MoH’s approval and requirements”, he said.