The government will continue supporting Felda in its efforts to raise the living standard of Felda settlers, said Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.       

He said this was in line with the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) under the 1Malaysia concept which sought to make Malaysia a high income nation.     

As such, he said Felda settlers should continue to be loyal to the government and support the leadership of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.       

"Felda has done a lot towards ensuring Felda settlers have a good life, unlike in other countries," he said at the closing of a carnival involving Felda settlements in northern Johor and Melaka, at Felda Gugusan Maokil in Labis today.      

The text of his speech was read out by Rural and Regional Development Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal.      

Muhyiddin also debunked a report carried in Suara Keadilan that Felda was facing bankruptcy, saying that last year alone, Felda paid RM77.96 million in income tax, RM37.17 million in Aidifitri bonus to 112,635 settlers, 14 percent in dividend to members of Koperasi Peneroka Felda totalling RM369.19 million as well as business zakat amounting to RM25.82 million.     

- Bernama