A new pro-Umno group representing Federal Land Authority (Felda) settlers will be established soon to counter the growing influence of PAS-linked Persatuan Anak Felda (Anak).

Dubbed the Jawatankuasa Badan Bertindak Generasi Kedua Felda (Second Generation Felda Settlers Action Committee), the group seeks to resolve grouses of Felda settlers before they are capitalised on by the opposition.

NONE "I suggest that all second generation of Felda settlers form their action committees.

"The organisation will act as a medium between the second generation and Felda management to solve problems through the right channel," said the group’s pro tem president Masran Ahmad Sayoti ( right in headgear ) during a press conference at Felda Chemplak, Tenang yesterday.

Masran said that unlike Anak, the new group would not adopt a confrontational approach when raising issues concerning Felda.

"We will solve the Felda issues through smart ways, not by attacking Felda management and bringing them to court," he said.

Masran conceded that the second generation of settlers are facing problems such as dwindling job opportunities, lack of agriculture and housing lands.

However, he considers these to be mere “technical problems” which can be resolved at the lower administrative level.

"Felda is still a beautiful institution," he stressed.

Anak’s political agenda a turn off

Hitting out at Anak, Masran said that the group was manipulating “petty mistakes” made by the authorities and attempting to turn them into national issues.

NONE "There are some quarters who trying to take advantage over small mistakes made by Felda. It is not smart for the second generation of Felda settlers to go against the government.

"The correct way should be bringing the issues to ruling party so they won't be exploited," he said.

Anak was instrumental in several suits brought by Felda settlers against the federal government of late. 

Masran, who is an Umno member, said that he had once failed to resolved some local issues and invited Anak to Felda Champlak to highlight it.

"I asked Anak president Mazlan Aliman to come here but with the condition that he would not bring in his political agenda.

"My friends and I withdrew from Anak when Mazlan later brought in PAS politics. Now there are less than 15 members in the Anak committee here, who are all PAS men," he said.

Najib, Isa will solve problems

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and newly-appointed Felda chairperson Mohd Isa Abdul Samad, the setters problems are being given attention.

NONE "God willing, the problems would be solved before the by-election,” he said.

There are three Felda settlements in the Tenang constituency.

Of the three, there are 4,118 registered voters. They form more than half of the Tenang Malay constituents.

PAS is facing a uphill battle in such settlements. In the 2008 general elections, PAS was estimated to have secured only 20 percent of votes in this three areas.

BN is making serious attempts to increase its majority in the area. Even Najib himself visited all three settlements ahead of nomination day where he promised 500 housing lots to be given to the second generation of Felda setters.