GE14 | The Felda settlers and the agency's leadership nationwide have been urged to remain loyal to the BN government which has been proven to be capable of bringing progress and developing the land schemes in a more proper manner, said Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The caretaker deputy prime minister said although it was acknowledged that there were weaknesses in the management of the Felda investments in the past, however, all the weaknesses had been resolved by the new Felda chairperson, Shahrir Abdul Samad.

He said that among the measures taken were the restructuring of the Felda investments besides managing the whole debts of Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV).

"There are 54 parliamentary constituencies in the Felda land schemes and we concede that there were weaknesses during the leadership of a particular individual at that time which might have digressed, but since Shahrir took over, we have corrected the situation.

"Now Felda is on the right track and we hope the settlers and Felda management give their trust to Shahrir and the BN (government),”he told reporters after a programme with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Kampung Banang in Hutan Melintang in Bagan Datuk today.

Zahid was commenting on efforts by the opposition in the 14th General Election to woo voters in the Felda land schemes.

Meanwhile, Zahid hoped the settlers who had been influenced by the tactics of the opposition to return and support the BN for continued development in the Felda schemes.

"Don't make a mistake again. I hope all the parliamentary constituencies in Felda schemes remain with the BN and those that had gone to the opposition will return to us so that we can develop together.

“(Caretaker) prime minister Najib Abdul Razak does not merely promise but has implemented numerous development in the Felda schemes including housing for the second and third generations, affordable homes as well as improving the infrastructural facilities,” he added.

- Bernama