The Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) has more pressing issues to worry about than trying to forbid other quarters from using its name, said National Felda Settlers' Children Society (Anak) president Mazlan Aliman.

Mazlan said this after the planned Pakatan Harapan-backed Felda Convention raised the ire of Felda.

"Since when did they have absolute right to the Felda name?

"Raising the issue of Felda's name is petty and distracts from the key issues.

"Felda belongs to the people and all efforts to return Felda to its original purpose should be welcomed," he said in a statement today.

Yesterday, Felda director-general Hanapi Suhada said he objected to the convention, stressing that Felda did not grant permission for its name to be used.

He said Felda had contributed and accused the opposition of trying to upset the harmony of Felda settlers.

Mazlan said the Felda convention, slated for March 19, will bring together lawyers, economists, activists and others to try and address the issues plaguing the Felda community.

He pointed out that FGV, which Felda holds a 21 percent stake, had been struggling, and so have the settlers.

He added that homes promised to the second generation of Felda settlers had yet to be delivered while Felda's reserve was also running low.

Mazlan said a similar Felda convention was also organised in 2012 with no issues.

Meanwhile, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang said Felda should welcome the convention.

Lim asked Hanapi to stand by the Felda's management's competence and sending its representatives to the convention.

"If there are voices about weaknesses, mistakes and even scandals in Felda, surely the Felda convention next Sunday will provide an excellent venue for Hanapi and his officials to prove the naysayers wrong.

"Unless there is indeed some basis and truth in the criticisms about Felda leadership and stewardship especially in the past two decades?" he said.