Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today emphasized that the government has not imposed any bans on programmes being conducted within the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) settlements, including those organized by state governments, as long as federal government machinery is not utilized for election campaigning.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Prime Minister clarified that while state governments have the freedom to hold events in FELDA areas, election laws specifically prohibit the use of government machinery, including resources from FELDA, for campaign activities. "There is absolutely nothing preventing a menteri besar from entering a FELDA settlement and organizing his own programme," Anwar stated during the Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat.

Anwar further explained that if state governments wish to issue land titles, they may do so, provided they adhere to election regulations. The restriction, he noted, is not on the programme itself but on the use of FELDA machinery for campaigning purposes. In response to Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut), Anwar denied having issued any directive to cancel the FELDA Settlers' Day programme, which was scheduled for June 20 and 21 in Kluang, Johor.

The Prime Minister reiterated the MADANI Government's commitment to enhancing the welfare of FELDA communities through various initiatives designed to revitalize settlements which, in his view, had suffered from inadequate management previously. Measures being introduced include establishing dialysis centres within FELDA settlements and the expansion of development facilities by federal government agencies.

"In the past, many FELDA settlements did not receive the attention they deserved and were left behind in rural development projects. That is why Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and I decided to provide far better facilities than before," Anwar remarked, underscoring the government's dedication to improving living conditions in these areas.