Kuala lumpur: The signing of a settlement agreement between the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) and the Terengganu state government to streamline the land alienation status of commercial plantations across six districts is expected to strengthen the socio-economic development of settler communities.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Felda Neram 2 settlers' chief Datuk Bahari Abdullah mentioned that the move would also pave the way for the revival of various development initiatives that had previously been delayed. He emphasized that the resolution enables Felda to proceed with its strategic plans, including infrastructure development, enhancing settlers' productivity and income, as well as strengthening community welfare programmes.
"This is a positive development that settlers have long been waiting for, to ensure that the continuity of planned development initiatives can be implemented in a more structured and effective manner," he told Bernama when contacted.
Bahari noted that Felda Terengganu currently has 7,458 settlers across 21 land schemes. On Wednesday, Felda and the Terengganu state government officially signed the settlement agreement to streamline the land alienation status of commercial plantations involving six districts, namely Besut, Setiu, Dungun, Hulu Terengganu, Marang, and Kemaman.
Felda stated that the significant step marks a continuation of longstanding cooperation that began in 1969 through the Land Development Scheme Agreements (Terengganu State Agreement), based on the Land (Group Settlement Areas) Act 1960 (Act 530). Previously, the Terengganu government issued notices prohibiting encroachment on land cultivated by Felda across 10 plantations covering about 15,000 hectares, claiming they had been developed without payment of premiums, taxes, or profit-sharing for more than 40 years.
The notices were served simultaneously to plantation management in Setiu, Besut, Kemaman, Marang, Dungun, and Hulu Terengganu. However, the Terengganu state government later extended the remedial period for Felda following positive developments from the negotiations.