Felda today denied it owes RM261.8 million to 11,000 settlers, saying that PAS organ Harakah published a misleading article in its latest edition, citing a recent High Court decision ordering the statutory body to pay replanting funds to 11 settlers.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Ahmad Maslan said the article, titled Felda Kalah Lagi! (Felda loses again!), is confusing as Felda has consistently paid out replanting funds to settlers who fulfilled the conditions and guidelines that they have set.

NONE “It is not true that Felda needs to pay RM261.8 million to 11,000 settlers, because replanting is a continuous process. There are 14,882 settlers who manage their own plantations and follow Felda guidelines, and they have been or are in the process of being paid the replanting funds,” he said at a press conference to refute the Harakah report at Felda Villa in Kuala Lumpur.

Ahmad ( left ), who is in charge of Felda, stressed that the decision by the Kuantan High Court ordering Felda to pay RM1,700 per acre to the 11 settlers is not necessary as the court itself ruled that the settlers still have to comply with Felda guidelines to get the payment.

Settlers need to fulfil four criteria to qualify for the replanting funds, which include complete removal of old trees up to the roots, proper planning to fit 55 trees per acre, complete replanting and proper cleaning of the plantation to ensure good growth and control of pests and disease.

He said even without the court order, Felda has consistently made payments to settlers for replanting oil palm over the years so long as they fulfilled the set conditions and guidelines.

“(There is) no point (in suing Felda) because the court order is completely in line with our practice all these years,” he said.

Ahmad pointed out that of the 11 settlers who filed the suit, two no longer qualify as they had already transferred the land titles to others, while three had already been paid even before the court order was issued.

suara keadilan report on felda bankrupt 220610 “The remaining six will be paid when they comply with the guidelines,” he said.

Ahmad noted however that Felda will not sue Harakah over this recent article, saying that it’s not nearly as bad as the Suara Keadilan article which claimed Felda had gone bankrupt.

Felda had filed a suit against the now-defunct Suara Keadilan , which had to fold after its publishing permit was not renewed by the Home Ministry in relation to the contentious article.