PAS has criticised the government for denying Hari Raya incentives to 13,589 Felda settlers.

This was after Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak yesterday announced RM49.52 million "duit raya" to 99,046 Felda settlers.

The remaining settlers did not qualify for the payout as they sell their produce to third parties instead of Felda.

PAS Felda affairs chief Naraza Muda said the government should not be punishing Felda settlers who choose to be independent.

"They are Felda settlers who became entrepreneurs to manage their own estate and should be rewarded for being independent to encourage them.

"Instead, the BN government punished Felda settlers who choose to be independent," he said in a statement today.

According to Najib's announcement, all qualified Felda settlers will receive RM500 each in conjunction with the Hari Raya celebration.

Nazara noted the government had also announced a similar RM500 payout to rubber tappers.

"But why independent settlers are not given any payment?" he said.

Nazara said this should not happen at a time when the people are facing rising living costs due to the goods and services tax (GST).

He added that settlers are also hardest hit from the fall in commodity prices.

Nazara urged the government to reconsider its decision and include the remaining 13,589 Felda settlers in the RM500 payout.