Felda is set to have another 10 companies of the Territorial Army in its 317 land schemes by the year end, said Army Field Commander Lt Gen Datuk Zulkiple Kassim.    

He said since it was launched in February, a total of six companies of the army had been set up in the settlement with almost 2,000 members comprising the settlers.

"Four more Felda companies will be launched in Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah and Malacca.

"This will give the opportunity for those within the age of 18 to 40 to serve the country in future," he told reporters at the Felda Kelantan Territorial Army company at Felda Kemahang, Tanah Merah, today.

Also present were the Second Infantry Division Commander, Maj Gen Azizan Md Delin, 8th Infantry Brigade commander Brig Gen Mohamad Zaki Hamzah and the Felda Vision Generation Alliance (GWGF) deputy president Abdullah Abu Bakar.

Zulkiple said currently there were 73,000 Territorial Army volunteers nationwide adding that those who joined the Territorial Army could be absorbed into the permanent service if they met the criteria set.

- Bernama