FELDA Best Example Of Transformation - Najib

PENDANG, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- FELDA's success since its establishment 57 years ago is the best example of a transformation process that has materialised, says Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The prime minister said the transformation that had taken place in FELDA involved various dimensions - individual and familial, standard of living and lifestyle, physical and mental, and organisational.

"Happiness in the FELDA communities nationwide can be regarded as a successful transformation in the annals of our history. From the time before they (settlers) joined (the FELDA land schemes), after they joined and the situation now...the transformation has been crystal clear...and they are able to enjoy a better life," he said.

Najib was speaking at the launching of the National Settlers Day celebration and FELDA Integrity Plan, and Hari Raya do held at the Sungai Tiang FELDA land scheme, in Pendang, Friday.

He said the FELDA organisation itself underwent transformation from a land development agency to that focused on land and physical development.

"Transformation has taken place...to the extent that today at the international level, FELDA can be regarded as a multinational corporation which we can be proud of.

"From the matter of roads and canals...to FELDA investing in industries in Canada, and a hotel and restaurant in Makkah. Thus, history has been created, with the public listing of FELDA Global Ventures (FGV) the seond biggest after Facebook," he noted.

However, Najib said, he was disappointed with certain quarters trying to tarnish FELDA's good image by alleging that the agency was bankrupt and was cheating the settlers.

"All these allegations have been answered. Could an organisation claimed to be bankrupt get FELDA Global Ventures to be listed (on the bourse), the second biggest at the time?

"All allegations were also answered when the FELDA community gave their solid support to Barisan Nasional (BN) in the last general election."

In this regard, the prime minister said he now wanted to see the transformation to extend beyond physical development to encompass mental transformation.

"The climax is when we are able to change our way of thinking, making us individuals who can evaluate wisely...to differentiate the good and the bad, and the truth and lies.

"Transformation can be effected, (but) do it earnestly so that our situation will be better...and the philosophy of competing is to enable the FELDA community to think that they can do much more to chart a more brilliant future for themselves," he said.

Najib said the government would not stop in renewal efforts for FELDA and would be making more profitable investments to return the profits to the FELDA community.

Later at a press conference, the prime minister said the government and FELDA management needed to seek investments which could give lucrative returns to FELDA in the medium and long term.

"This should be the case so that a portion of the profits gained can be re-invested including in new ventures and the other portion given out as dividends and socio-economic benefits.

"We have many ideas but at the moment, we are focusing on beefing up FELDA's funds for the long term following the listing of FGV.

"We have a rather large fund which must be used prudently to ensure FELDA remains successful and be able to give higher dividends and carry out socio-economic programmes for the settlers and non-settlers," he said.

On the FELDA Integrity Plan, Naib said it was to avoid any form of misappropriation and abuse of power, so as to make FELDA even more successful and highly respected by the world.

Also present at the event were the prime minister's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir and FELDA chairman Tan Sri Isa Abdul Samad.

--BERNAMA

(Source: Bernama)