The South Kelantan Development Authority  (Kesedar) is discussing with the Rural and Regional Development Ministry to write of the bad debts owed by its settlers, totalling RM114 million.     

Kesedar general manager Mohd Arshad Ismail said the debts were owed by 2,228 settlers in nine land development schemes (RKT).     

"We decide to discuss with the Rural and Regional Development Ministry to write off the debts to help ease the settlers' burden," he said at a function at RKT Kesedar Jeram Tekoh near here today.     

He said the agency was aware of problems facing its settlers at RKT Renok Baru, Sungai Asap, Jeram Tekoh, Paloh 1,2,3 Chalil and Lebir due to uncertainty in their income.     

The affected settlers, he said, were also making repayments for their second loan for the replanting programme.     

"It is too much of a burden for the settlers to make the payments for the old and new loans, " he added.     

- Bernama