FELDA Cooperatives Must Restructure For Better Profits, dividend Returns - Ahmad Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 (Bernama) -- The entire cooperative ecosystem under the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) must undergo a restructuring process to generate more encouraging profits, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. 

The move is necessary to enable profits to be redistributed to shareholders, he stressed. 

“Since the cooperatives hold investments in various business organisations, the strategy now is to realise these holdings through divestment or to ensure they yield better returns on investment (ROI) for the cooperatives.

“ Insya-Allah, last year's dividends have started being paid, but the amount is still relatively small compared to when the cooperatives first recorded strong profits,” he told reporters after attending a settlers’ appreciation ceremony in conjunction with the ‘Mega Karnival 3 Dimensi’ here today.

Earlier, in his speech, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, urged the Felda management to also focus on issues concerning settlers’ land ownership, housing, debt and 5G network access in most Felda areas.

“… I would like to see the rights of Felda settlers fully returned to them… profits must go back to the settlers, as the returns come from their hard work, and we call on Felda’s management to fulfil this promise,” Ahmad Zahid said. 

At the same time, he expressed hope that access to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) would be expanded in Felda areas to produce a highly skilled generation of Felda youths.

He also emphasised the importance of ensuring 5G coverage in all Felda areas nationwide, enabling settlers to benefit from modern technology, as well as the need to upgrade substandard road infrastructure, such as pothole-ridden roads, to create a more conducive and sustainable living environment. 

“I have no personal interest, no political interest. My only concern is to ensure that the rights of Felda settlers are restored to them.

“Only then will the settlers, from the first to the fifth generation, find true satisfaction. Only then can Felda be truly recognised globally when we restore our concern and commitment to the settlers,” he said.

 The five-day carnival, held from July 30, featured three flagship entrepreneurship programmes: the ‘Karnival Usahawan Desa’ (KUD) by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW), FELDA Settlers' Day (HPF) by Felda, and the ‘Showcase Satu Daerah Satu Industri’ (SDSI)  by the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry (KUSKOP).

More than 1,000 entrepreneurs and exhibitors, along with a total of 882 entrepreneurship booths, participated in the carnival — a large-scale entrepreneurial initiative that unites entrepreneurs nationwide under a holistic and inclusive platform.

-- BERNAMA