More than 2,500 participants of the Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra) in Sabah will receive dividends amounting to RM5 million.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal said each participant would receive between RM3,000 and RM60,000, depending on the number of shares owned.

“Of the total, 25 settlers in the Semporna district received dividends totalling RM521,000 which should raise their economic status.

“The government welcomes this move (dividend pay-out) which is in line with the government’s aspiration to provide a comfortable life to rural dwellers,” he told reporters in Semporna last night.

When approached by reporters after handing out the dividends to Felcra settlers in the Semporna district at the breaking of fast at the Kampung Bugaya Mosque, he said Felcra had allocated RM3.6 million to pay the dividends in Sarawak.

- Bernama