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TAWAU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim assured Felda Umas settlers in Kalabakan that he will carefully review all proposals and concerns they have raised, including long-standing welfare issues.

According to a Daily Express report, settlers appealed for the Prime Minister’s intervention on matters such as the approval of 500 acres for second-generation housing lots, the implementation of the Second-Generation Felda Housing Project (PPGKF) and the land grant status of first-generation settlers’ home lots.

Other concerns highlighted include access to clean water, electricity, road infrastructure and youth economic development in Felda Umas.

“Their appeal has reached me and the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya. We will first review the issues they have raised before any decisions or follow-up actions are made,” Anwar said, urging the settlers to remain patient while the Government examines each proposal thoroughly.

He made the remarks after launching the “Jelajah Malaysia Digital – Empowering the People Through Digitalisation” programme, organised by the Malaysian Entrepreneur Development Centre (Medec), and during a walkabout and meet-the-people session at Taman Semarak, here.

The Prime Minister, who also serves as Finance Minister, said the Government has never neglected the welfare of Felda settlers. 

“The Madani Government allocates RM1 billion annually to help Felda settle its debts, repay its RM9.9 billion sukuk-related obligations, stabilise finances, pay staff salaries and fund settlers’ welfare,” he said.

Earlier, 55 settlers from various generations held a peaceful assembly at Felda Umas, carrying placards appealing for attention to their welfare concerns. 

They expressed willingness to hold face-to-face discussions with the relevant authorities to ensure better outcomes for their community.

Felda Umas is home to more than 10,000 residents, including 776 original settlers from the first generation. 

The settlement was gradually developed from the early 1980s to the 1990s under the Felda Sahabat 2 Regional Settlement Plan. 

Previous reports note that settlers received ownership grants for their oil palm plantation lots in 2016, covering 4,525 hectares in total.

Anwar expressed concern over the appeals and reaffirmed that all proposals from the settlers will be reviewed thoroughly.