SHAH ALAM: As promised, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday completed the third round payment of windfall to Felda new generation of RM5,000 to 112,635 families involving RM563.2 million.

To mark the payment, Najib presented replica cheques to representatives from 11 Felda regions at Felda New Generation Assembly attended by some 12,000 youths nationwide at Universiti Teknologi Mara here.

Speaking at the event, the prime minister said it was the turn of the Felda new generation to receive benefits after their parents had received similar benefits.

"Today, the Felda second generation receive the windfall, thus proving that the government never breaks its promise," he said.

The 11 Felda regions are Raja Alias, Segamat, Gua Musang, Kuantan, Trolak, Johor Bahru, Mempaga, Terengganu, Alor Setar, Jengka and Sahabat in Lahad Datu.

Media reports said that the windfall given to Felda settlers, wives and the second generation totalled RM1.689 billion.

Najib stressed that the opposition had tried to deny the good work done by the government including claiming that Felda was bankrupt.

"Only people not in their right frame of mind believe that Felda is bankrupt."

He said that the opposition not only condemned but slandered the government, and if they submitted an idea, it was superficial.

The windfall was sourced from the initial public offering following the listing of Felda Global Ventures Holdings Berhad (FGVH) on Bursa Malaysia, the world's second largest listing this year.

FGVH has set a target of 50 per cent dividend payout from its business profit annually.

The government provided opportunities to Felda new generation who now occupy high positions, receive lucrative income and have high level of expertise including maintenance of Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger aircraft.

Najib was also pleased with the support he received yesterday and hopes that it would continue until the next general election.

Yip Seng Lam,40, who represented 36 land schemes under Mempaga region in Pahang thanked the prime minister for the windfall to Felda second generation.

The Felda settler from Bilut, Bentong in Pahang said there were 616 settlers there involving 400 Malay families, 169 Chinese while the rest were Indians. — Bernama

Category: Nation, Sarawak