'Felda windfall a toxic poison that'll kill 7 generations'
Leven WoonPublished: May 25, 2012 4:24 PM | Updated: May 28, 2012 2:13 PM
Delegates to the PKR-organised Felda Community and Orang Asal Convention in Sepang yesterday launched a massive onslaught on the listing of Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGVH) to the cheers of some 500 attendees.
Delegates to the PKR-organised Felda Community and Orang Asal Convention in Sepang yesterday launched a massive onslaught on the listing of Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGVH) to the cheers of some 500 attendees.
Taking part in the debate on the FGVH listing, Johor Felda settler Esa Atan likened the RM15,000 windfall being handed out to Felda settlers to "a highly toxic poison that will kill animals for seven generations".
Esa said this to depict how far-reaching an impact the listing exercise would have on the livelihood of the settlers.
"(Minister in Prime Minister Department) Ahmad Maslan said Felda lands won't be affected, but our right to ownership of the lands and oil palm production will be.
"It's like the toxic poison that will kill animals for seven generations. Pigs die after eating it, then the snake that eats the pig also dies, and so do the ants that eat the snake," he said to an applauding crowd.
Perak Felda delegate Hamzah Ismail challenged the government to purchase the FGVH shares for the settlers, instead of forcing them to take bank loans for the purchase, which exposes them to market risks as well.
"If the government is sincere about championing the cause of Felda settlers, it should borrow the money for us.
"When the share prices go up, split the profit. We take half of it and you use the other half to repay the bank," Hamzah said.
Orang Asal reps slam the TSK agreement
Delegates representing the Orang Asal, on the other hand, poured criticism on the Tanam Secara Kormersial (TSK or commercial planting) scheme, which they claimed had denied them the rights to their land and affected their livelihood.
The scheme, which was introduced by Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) some 15 years ago, has made several government agencies the sole contractors for ploughing and harvesting oil palm trees on land belonging to the Orang Asal.
"At least Felda settlers have a windfall... but the Orang Asal only fall. We collapse entirely (runtuh habis)," said delegate Fatimah Bahsin, adding that the community now does not own "a single inch" of what was their land.
Fatimah urged the Orang Asal to take a stand to regain the ownership of their lands and of their country as well.
"Let's make a change. This country belongs to us!" she declared.
Taking part in the debate on the FGVH listing, Johor Felda settler Esa Atan likened the RM15,000 windfall being handed out to Felda settlers to "a highly toxic poison that will kill animals for seven generations".Esa said this to depict how far-reaching an impact the listing exercise would have on the livelihood of the settlers.
"(Minister in Prime Minister Department) Ahmad Maslan said Felda lands won't be affected, but our right to ownership of the lands and oil palm production will be.
"It's like the toxic poison that will kill animals for seven generations. Pigs die after eating it, then the snake that eats the pig also dies, and so do the ants that eat the snake," he said to an applauding crowd.
Perak Felda delegate Hamzah Ismail challenged the government to purchase the FGVH shares for the settlers, instead of forcing them to take bank loans for the purchase, which exposes them to market risks as well.
"If the government is sincere about championing the cause of Felda settlers, it should borrow the money for us.
"When the share prices go up, split the profit. We take half of it and you use the other half to repay the bank," Hamzah said.
Orang Asal reps slam the TSK agreement
Delegates representing the Orang Asal, on the other hand, poured criticism on the Tanam Secara Kormersial (TSK or commercial planting) scheme, which they claimed had denied them the rights to their land and affected their livelihood.
The scheme, which was introduced by Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) some 15 years ago, has made several government agencies the sole contractors for ploughing and harvesting oil palm trees on land belonging to the Orang Asal."At least Felda settlers have a windfall... but the Orang Asal only fall. We collapse entirely (runtuh habis)," said delegate Fatimah Bahsin, adding that the community now does not own "a single inch" of what was their land.
Fatimah urged the Orang Asal to take a stand to regain the ownership of their lands and of their country as well.
"Let's make a change. This country belongs to us!" she declared.
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