Aug 4: Whistleblower group ANAK, or the Felda Settlers' Children Association, has described as "pathetic" the RM42.6 million Hari Raya contribution announced by prime minister Najib Razak for distribution to settlers. The group's chairman Mazlan Aliman said the amount, which translates to RM378 for each of the 112,635 Felda settlers, was nothing when compared to Felda’s top officers who had been given shares in the wake of its recent purchase of Malayan Sugar Manufacturing Co. from billionaire Robert Kuok. According to Mazlan, the purchase made through Felda Global Ventures Holdings resulted in some 2,500 Felda officers and 2,500 Felda Global officers being given shares in the sugar company. He said the shares, which open at RM3.34 per unit and had since appreciated to RM5.46, were distributed in such a way that a ranking officer would get 5,600 units and non-ranking officer 2,900 units. “Najib does not need to ‘promote’ the Raya hand-out and publicise it as Felda’s or government’s recognition, because the amount should be much bigger. "Are settlers aware that Felda officers have been enjoying huge profit from the (sugar company) shares?” asked Mazlan.  Mazlan (above), who is PAS Central Committee member, also questioned the RM400 given to settlers who farmed under the agency's assistance, and only RM200 to settlers who farmed on their own without Felda’s help, syaing those who planted on their own wielded more produce which was then sold to Felda. “If the difference in the ‘duit raya’ is based on the settlers’ output, then the distribution is not fair because when commodity prices go up, the amount given should be more. "If they are being categorised as Felda and non-Felda settlers, then how is it the latter sell their produce to Felda’s factories?" he asked, describing the smaller amount as a form of discrimination to scare settlers who chose not to get Felda’s help. |
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