Felda settlers have been urged not to fall for a quick handout, only to live to regret it for the rest of their lives.

President of Felda settlers NGO Anak, Mazlan Aliman, reminded the settlers how decades of success under the plantation scheme has been lost to Felda Global Ventures (FGV), the listing of which he called "fatal".

"Don't be happy with being able to receive RM5,000, but live to regret it for the rest of your life," he said.

He warned of the coming 14th general election, which will see Felda settlers determining 54 of the total parliamentary seats.

"It would be tragic if we only feel indebted over some generosity or dedak (handouts) given during election season, only to feel the suffering in the following five years."

Mazlan said Felda Plantations, the economic pulse of Felda that contributes nearly 75 percent of Felda's income, "has been pawned to FGV for 99 years".

"The listing of FGV Ventures in Bursa Malaysia on 28 Jun 2012 is a dark tragedy that has nearly destroyed the peace and comfort of the Felda community, whether settlers, Felda staff or the Felda new generation," he said. 

Felda needs complete reform

Mazlan called for an urgent reform of the government agency but stressed that important questions needed to be addressed if changes were to come from the ground up.

“Anak urges for a complete change (to Felda) that is thought about and initiated together.

“(We need to ask if) FGV needs to be maintained? And when will settlers stop being labelled as either ‘with Felda’ or ‘not with Felda’?

“What strategic plans do we need to reduce settlers’ financial burdens, some which have ballooned to more than RM100,000? What is the fate of the second and third generation Felda settlers?” he asked.

Mazlan also emphasised the role of “the younger generation” of Felda settlers in leading the way for a change.

“The new generation of Felda settlers have now become the majority, and must hijrah towards a better direction as implored in Islam.

“The young must lead this change and capitalise on our democratic right to vote, in order to determine the direction of the country, especially the direction of Felda,” he added.