About 118 Felcra settlers are given the grants after waiting for four decades

Wednesday February 15, 2012 -

PAGOH: Some 118 Felcra Paya Kepar settlers were presented with their land grants after a 40-year wait.

Among them were 74-year-old Abdullah Munab who was grateful to own the soil that he had been cultivating over the years.

“Only God knows how happy I am today,” he said at the event which was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Another settler, Hussein Md Damos, 60, said that he was also delighted with the affair.

“With the title in my name, I have more flexibility to do what I want with the land but I plan to continue developing the oil palm plantation there,” he said, adding that he had applied for the grant about 30 years ago.

Thanks: An elderly settler expressing gratitude to Muhyiddin for the voucher.

Felcra Paya Kepar’s representative, Mohd Razak Abas, 60, said the settlers were happy to receive the grants.

He added that the settlers are also hoping for the monthly allowance for those involved in replanting activities to be increased.

“We are receiving about RM30 per hectare, but this is not enough to meet our monthly expenses,” he said.

Mohd Razak added that most of the settlers are in their ‘Golden years’ and did not have any other source of income.

Relating to the matter, Muhyiddin said that Felcra would have to deliberate on the settler’s needs and the government would also do what they can to help the settlers.

“The settlers need to incorporate modern farming methods and ensure that the plots of land are not left abandoned but are constantly worked on,” he said.

Muhyiddin, during his visit, also distributed Batuan Rakyat 1 Malaysia (BR1M) aid to residents in Lenga and also visited residents in Kampung Kebun Baru in Jementah.

source: thestar.com.my