FOCUS | A battle is raging in Felda settlements nationwide as politicians vie for crucial Malay heartland support ahead of the next general election.

Getting Felda votes could be the key to the opposition wresting Putrajaya from BN.

But Felda settlements have traditionally been BN strongholds, and in the 55 Parliament seats that have Felda voting districts, 46 - or almost 90 percent - are held by the ruling coalition.

Established in 1956, the Federal Land Development Authority was the brainchild of then deputy prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein, and was meant to uplift the Malays economically.

Now, 61 years later, some still feel indebted to Razak, and by extension, to his son and current Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

"If people remember history, Razak really helped put the Malays up. And now Najib is giving 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M), and has spent billions of ringgit on it," Felda settler Awang Hussin Abdul Manah told Malaysiakini.

Awang Hussin was one of several settlers the portal met in a visit to Felda Jengka in Pahang recently.

While the 53-year-old is a staunch supporter of the government, some others feel no reason to support Najib, despite his father's contributions.

"A son is a son, but the son is not the father," Azmi Abdul Wahab said...